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LA Catholics welcome coadjutor archbishop
Archbishop Jose H. Gomez (C) and Cardinal Roger Mahony (R) take part in a welcoming Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels May 26, 2010 in downtown Los Angeles, California.
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Reed Saxon-Pool/Getty Images
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Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, center, with Cardinal Roger Mahony, right during a welcoming Mass marking the start of Gomez's ministry at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles Wednesday, May 26, 2010. The Mexican-born Gomez was previously archbishop of San Antonio, and an auxiliary bishop in Denver. Gomez will become the first Hispanic archbishop of the nation's most populous archdiocese when Cardinal Roger Mahony retires at age 75 in February, 2011.
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LA Catholics welcome coadjutor archbishop
LA Catholics welcome coadjutor archbishop
The future leader of the nation's most populous Roman Catholic archdiocese was welcomed Wednesday with standing ovations in a religious service marked by clear indications that support for immigrants will be a priority.
The Mass of Reception marked the start of Coadjutor Archbishop Jose Gomez's ministry as an assistant to Cardinal Roger Mahony, who will retire next February.
Gomez then automatically becomes the archbishop without ceremony. Gomez will assume full leadership of the Archdiocese which encompasses nearly 300 perishes and more than four million Catholics in Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. It's the largest Archdioces in the United States and an international platform for the Catholic Church.
Mahony appeared eager to turn over the reins, inviting Gomez to sit in his chair in the packed Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.
Born in Monterrey, Mexico, the 58-year-old Gomez will become the first Hispanic archbishop of the Los Angeles archdiocese at a time when illegal immigration from Mexico is a heated political issue. Gomez is a naturalized U.S. citizen.
He most recently headed the San Antonio Archdiocese.
He promised to stand tough against child abuse in the church and to continue Mahony's emphasis on immigrant rights. Gomez is member of Opus Dei. His appointment by the Pope increases the influence of that conservative Catholic order.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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