Cardinal Roger Michael Mahony was appointed Archbishop of Los Angeles by Pope John Paul II on July 16, 1985. He was installed as the fourth Archbishop of Los Angeles on September 5, 1985. Pope John Paul II elevated him a cardinal on June 28, 1991. Born in North Hollywood, California, Cardinal Mahony is the first native Angeleno and the third Archbishop of Los Angeles to be created a cardinal. Cardinal Mahony was ordained to the priesthood May 1, 1962. He was appointed Titular Bishop of Tamascani and Auxiliary Bishop of Fresno January 7, 1975. He was appointed Bishop of Stockton February 26, 1980. In 1986, to better minister to the five million Catholics in the Archdiocese, Cardinal Mahony developed the five Pastoral Regions (Our Lady of the Angels, San Pedro, Santa Barbara, San Fernando, San Gabriel). In 1995, he announced plans to build the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels to replace the earthquake-damaged former St. Vibiana's Cathedral.

"It is my dream and fondest hope that as people first catch a glimpse of our new Cathedral they will be drawn and captivated by its beauty and symbolism. Viewing the Cathedral from any direction should evoke sure recognition that this is the City of the Angels Catholic Cathedral, while subtly luring the viewer by its sense of spiritual strength. As people draw nearer, the size, proportions, and external beauty of the Cathedral should cast an intangible sense of peacefulness and security upon all who behold it, while continuing to draw them closer - almost irresistibly. Their hearts and souls should experience soothing comfort in the vitality and the wonder of God's House in the midst of the human community."