Father Olivares
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As a Claretian priest living and working at La Placita church, I take exception to many inaccuracies in Rodolfo Acuna’s column “A Uniquely Needy Flock Mustn’t Lose Its Padre” (California Commentary, Dec. 25).
- The transfer of Father Luis Olivares will not mean “a weakening of the church’s commitment to the cause of social justice . . . “ or “ . . . also mean a loss of faith.” There is a very long list of Claretian priests and brothers, and dedicated parishioners, since 1910 who have labored for the poor, the immigrant, and the Hispanic for social justice.
- Father Olivares’ initial term of three years was renewed; even after six years as pastor, special permission was sought from Rome to allow him three more years, a total of nine years as pastor!
- There are other dedicated Mexican American Claretians who offered to be considered as the new pastor. They have credentials not only of words, but of feeding and clothing the poor.
- I personally have not seen Rodolfo Acuna at La Placita. We welcome his presence--and that of his students--to come and bring clothes for the poor, and perhaps come once a week to feed the hungry!
- Dr. Acuna mentions a demonstration at St. Basil’s church 20 years ago. What he fails to mention is that at Communion time, a member of the self-proclaimed group, Catolicos por la Raza, took the consecrated host, yelled a slogan, and threw the consecrated host to the floor! After that moment, this group lost all support in the Hispanic Catholic community!
- La Placita will continue to be a haven for the poor as long as the Claretian priests and brothers are given the privilege of working here.
FR. ARTURO GOMEZ, CMF
Los Angeles
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