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New regional Catholic Bishop Ordained
By Alison Shackelford
Copley News Service - Courtesy of Daily Breeze News

Bishop Alexander Salazar, the new bishop for the San Pedro Pastoral Region, was ordained Thursday in a colorful ceremony in downtown Los Angeles as thousands of people looked on.

Bishop Salazar was ordained by Cardinal Roger Mahony, the archbishop of Los Angeles, in a three-hour ceremony attended by 3,000 people, some of whom had to settle for standing room only in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

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Dozens of clergy members and 35 bishops from around the nation formed a vast procession from the back of the cathedral as the ceremony began, carrying incense and candles. Later, Cardinal Mahony placed a bishop's miter on Salazar's head and passed him a crosier -- the hooked bishop's staff. As organ music and the voices of the choir filled the cathedral, Salazar walked up and down aisles between the pews, waving to people as they waved back.

Bishop Salazar expressed his gratitude and related a story of a fellow priest who called him after finding out Salazar would become a bishop. While offering congratulations, the priest mused that it was a difficult time to be a bishop.

"While we may recognize that these past few years will be a defining moment in the history of our church, I am not prepared to acknowledge that these are the worst of times," Salazar said. "These times are really the best of times -- for never have we been so aware of the need of the Lord and his presence in our lives.

"I give my gratitude to the wonderful people of God from the many communities of this archdiocese that I have been privileged to serve," Salazar said. "I will continue to seek your wisdom and guidance."

Bishop Salazar, who was appointed by Pope John Paul II, becomes one of five bishops in the local archdiocese, the nation's largest. Salazar will serve 66 parishes and 1.5 million Catholics, including those in El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, San Pedro, Wilmington, Carson, Lomita and Gardena.

Previously, the bilingual bishop was pastor of St. Theresa of Avila Church in Los Angeles and vice chancellor of the archdiocese.

Salazar fills a position that was vacant for a year and a half, although the region was served in the interim by Monsignor Bernard Leheny.

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