L.A. WATCH : Olivares’ Legacy

Father Luis Olivares was controversial during his lifetime. The Roman Catholic priest was known widely for his work as pastor of Our Lady Queen of Angels Church, across from Olvera Street, in the 1980s. He declared that parish a sanctuary for refugees and illegal immigrants, clashing not just with government authorities but with church superiors.

While one could disagree with Olivares’ outspoken politics, as this newspaper did on occasion, there was no doubting the sincerity of his convictions. He was arrested for them, and they appear even to have contributed to his death: He contracted AIDS after being injected with an unsterilized needle on a visit to Central American refugee camps.

On Friday Olivares’ friends and supporters will mark the first anniversary of his death by celebrating a mariachi Mass in his memory and starting fund-raising for a $1-million endowment, the Luis Olivares Legacy. The fund, administered by the California Community Foundation, will support local efforts to help immigrants and refugees.

Whatever else one thinks of the many immigrants who have made Los Angeles a modern-day Ellis Island, there is no denying their humanity and very real needs. It was within such a context that Father Olivares pursued his extraordinary ministry; any effort to carry on his work will help the community. This is a good cause inspired by the memory of a good man.