Pope names San Francisco Archbishop as orthodoxy chief

[emad]

Don Lattin, Chronicle Staff Writer

Friday, May 13, 2005


Pope Benedict XVI today named San Francisco Archbishop William Levada to lead the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith - making the Bay Area leader the church's top cop for doctrine and second most powerful man in Rome.

Levada's stunning rise to the pinnacle of church power caps a 40-year career that combined moderate theology, cautious leadership and diplomatic savvy.

It also means San Francisco will soon have a new archbishop - a process that could take several months.

Levada goes to Rome with a keen understanding of Vatican politics, but also with decades of experience dealing with such explosive American issues as gay rights, the role of women in the church and the ongoing fallout from the sexual abuse crisis in the church.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2005/05/13/levada13.TMP

[davidinalameda]

1. don't know if this is a good thing

this guy has been a thorn in the side of the city's gay rights movement but I'm afraid that whoever they send next will be worse

[tmooses]

2. I'm kinda shocked they would name an American to such a high post.

n/t

[moobu2]

3. It's a slick political decision..

means they'll be meddling in US cultural politics and more.

[emad]

4. Orthodoxy Dept: Spanish Inquisition. Bet Poppy had a hand in

this appointment, always pulled the strings when he was in Carlyle....

[Eloriel]

5. Good point.

And of COURSE it's not a good thing, dwickham. Do you expect any "good things" from this ultra-rightwing pope? I should hope not.

[Democat]

6. They are getting ready to attack Democrats in 2006 and 2008

The church wants America to be a theocracy and they will work with right wingers to try to make it happen.