Father Olivares
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
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
