Pax Christi USA learned this morning of the resignation of Bishop Gabino Zavala, auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and bishop-president of Pax Christi USA. In a letter from Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez, it was stated that Bishop Zavala’s letter of resignation was accepted by the Vatican after he had disclosed that he is “the father of two minor teenage children who live with their mother in another state.” As suggested by Archbishop Gomez in his letter to Catholics in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, we offer our prayers for all those involved and all those who are affected by this news during this difficult time.
Is there any reason Bishop Zavala can’t remain President of Pax Christi?
He did not sin – he merely behaved as a man ! And by confessing his practical error – he has redeemed himself and most certainly is forgiven by everyone who practice christian charity ! As for remaining a Bishop – well Saint Paul says no way in his Epistles ! For a OBISPO must be always & in every way above human scandal ! May the Lord Bless & Keep Bishop Zavala for all the good things he has done ! Amen – Frank A. Novello (& Kissy )
Many prayers for all those involved. I had admired Bishop Zavala for many years — particularly after being at a Mass he celebrated at the L.A. Religious Education Congress. His presence in ministry will be missed.
I see no reason that Zavala cannot remain as president-bishop of Pax Christi USA. The artificial ecclesial regulations from the early middle ages mandating celebacy for priest office is irregular and unnecessary, contrary to the practice in the apostolic and early church. The scandal is not that he had a family with children, whatever the present state is has not yet been revealed, but that the hierarchical and institutional church makes this a condition for clerical ministry which is not just unnecessary but unnatural.
To surrender the right to marriage and to live a life of celebacy in a vocation dedicated to serving the Church is a worthy thing to do. That a Catholic would call it a “scandal” that the Church would have such a rule for those in religious vocations is a scandal in itself.
The bishop lived a lie and did injustice to his children over a prolonged period of time. He is certainly to be forgiven but I would hope in his admission that he would now make amends to the family he poorly served and to the Church he served while having this matter on his conscience.
He showed to be human. It is not a scandal to do what is natural. It is scandelous that the church keeps middle age practices.
Why can’t he stay a member of Pax Christi and serve in a “pastoral” role? He has so much to give to the Pax Christ community. it would be a pity to lose his Social Justice Spirituality and insight.
Blessings to our Bishop!
I would refer us to the Merton poem in the Epiphany meditation/homily in this 1/8 message: let’s make a place for those who authority would shut out for reasons of law and administration, not of grace and love.
I have to correct my grammar: those WHOM authority would ignore.