An Inspiration

The Most Rev. William R. Johnson, who died Monday, was more than the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic community in Orange County. He was an inspiration to people of all faiths.

Johnson was Catholic in his religion but ecumenical in his compassion and love for the poor and the needy. He was a gentle and caring man who not only preached the Gospel to his faithful but also lived it as an example for others.

As a young priest, Johnson was the pastor of the first black Catholic parish in Los Angeles. When he came to Orange County 10 years ago as the first bishop of the Diocese of Orange, he went to work with his customary warmth and enthusiasm to make religion a personal and involved experience. The 42-parish diocese with 333,860 members grew to 52 parishes with nearly half a million Catholics, about one out of every four county residents, to become the second-largest diocese in the state.

Johnson established a Department of Hispanic Ministries, created subsidized housing for poor seniors, celebrated a Christmas Mass each year at the Orange County Jail, supported the peace movement, actively opposed the arms race and strongly urged his priests and parishioners in the county to help the refugees arriving from Southeast Asia.

Johnson, in discussing knowledge of religion, once noted that memorizing formulaic answers to doctrinal questions was no longer adequate Catholic training. His philosophy was “you have to do something and be someone.” Bishop William Johnson did do something. And he was someone.