A survey to assess Cardinal Roger M. Mahony's performance as archbishop of Los Angeles produced a largely positive evaluation, especially in the areas of teaching of the faith, fostering prayer and worship, and promoting works of charity.

In response to the survey's results, a follow-up committee has developed recommendations that would address the survey's data in areas where it was determined more attention was needed. This included more attention to evangelization (as called for in the archdiocesan Synod process); developing and implementing long-range strategic goals; and strengthening personal relationships with and presence among laity and clergy.

The survey of more than 3,000 pastoral leaders and Synod delegates, conducted last fall by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University, was developed as an outgrowth of the Synod, which stressed the need for all Catholics in the local church to discern and utilize their gifts to serve the church, in accordance with their call as baptized members of the church. A portion of the CARA survey dealt with the pastoral initiatives, goals and strategies produced by the Synod.

In the survey, more than two-thirds of respondents (68 percent) rated Cardinal Mahony's ministry overall as "good" (50 percent) or "excellent" (18 percent).

Within "sub-groups" of respondents (including priests, pastors, religious sisters, religious brothers, deacons, parish council presidents, Synod delegates and lay persons), about eight in ten religious brothers and deacons responded "good" or "excellent" in their overall evaluation of the cardinal. About seven in ten religious sisters, priests, parish council presidents, and Synod delegates respond similarly; among pastors and lay persons, overall evaluations of at least "good" were stated by 64 and 61 percent, respectively.

By pastoral region, about seven in ten respondents from the San Fernando and Our Lady of the Angels regions rated Cardinal Mahony "good" or "excellent" overall. About two-thirds of those in the San Gabriel, San Pedro and Santa Barbara regions responded similarly.

(An executive summary of the survey is on pages 12-13; the complete survey results are posted on the archdiocesan website, www.la-archdiocese.org.)

Cardinal Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles since 1985, contracted in September 2003 with CARA to conduct a survey of pastoral leaders and Synod delegates of the Archdiocese that would provide an evaluation of his ministry. This study was designed to assist Cardinal Mahony in the implementation of pastoral initiatives recently identified through the Archdiocesan Synod and in his planning priorities for the next eight years.

The survey was mailed in November 2003 to 3,195 pastoral leaders who are active in ministry in the archdiocese. Msgr. David O'Connell of the Council of Priests served as representative of the archdiocese in overseeing the project, and served as chair of the committee that assembled follow-up recommendations.

By Feb. 1, 2004 --- the cut-off date for accepting responses --- CARA had received a total of 1,268 responses, an overall response rate of 41 percent. Following standard assumptions of statistical inference this response provides for an overall margin of error of plus or minus 2.1 percentage points.

Ministry evaluation

Respondents were asked to evaluate different aspects of Cardinal Mahony's ministry, including ministries to, and relationships with, specific groups, as well as his teaching, priestly and pastoral ministries.

---Regarding general aspects of ministry, respondents rated Cardinal Mahony positively for his teaching of the faith, fostering prayer and worship, and promoting works of charity (75 percent or more "good" or "excellent").

---Cardinal Mahony is least likely to be rated as "excellent" for collaborating with others in ministry, knowing the people entrusted to his care, strengthening community, administration of the archdiocese, and stewardship of archdiocesan resources. Fewer than six in ten rate the cardinal as at least "good" for these aspects of ministry.

---Three in four respondents said Cardinal Mahony's ministries to migrants, refugees and ethnic groups are "good" or "excellent."

---Respondents were least likely to rate his ministries to separated and divorced Catholics and inactive and alienated Catholics as at least "good" (43 and 34 percent, respectively).

---Among all respondents and all sub-groups, Cardinal Mahony's relationship with groups outside the church were rated most positively. More than three in four say the cardinal's relationships with civic leaders, leaders of other Christian churches, and leaders of other religious traditions are "good" or "excellent."

---Half or fewer respondents say Cardinal Mahony's relationship with their parish or their deanery is at least "good."

Teaching

More than 80 percent of respondents said Cardinal Mahony does "somewhat" or "very" well in his teaching ministry of proclaiming the Gospel by his words, defending and safeguarding the faith, and grounding his teaching and preaching in Scripture (about half say he does each of these "very" well). Seven in ten or fewer respond similarly to the cardinal's proclaiming the Gospel by his witness, leading people to faith, and strengthening people in their faith.

Nearly nine in ten or more of all respondents say Cardinal Mahony does "somewhat" or "very" well in his priestly ministry of celebrating and presiding in reverent style (68 percent said "very" well), encouraging participation in the Eucharist, and leading the faithful in worship and prayer.

Seven in ten or slightly fewer respond similarly regarding the cardinal's inspiration of spiritual growth and promotion of devotional practices (28 and 27 percent, respectively, responded "very" well). Similar patterns of responses are made by sub-groups, although deacons are slightly more positive, and priests slightly less positive than all other respondents.

By 80 percent of all respondents, Cardinal Mahony was evaluated as respectful of cultural differences, understands changing demographics, encourages the faithful to use their gifts, understands socio-economic realities, and promotes the common good "somewhat" or "very much" in his pastoral ministry.

Two-thirds or fewer respondents say Cardinal Mahony fosters unity within the Archdiocese or values the principle of subsidiarity at least "somewhat." Respondents self-identifying as "Hispanic or Latino" are more likely than those identifying as "Anglo, Caucasian, or white" to say Cardinal Mahony fosters unity with the whole Church.

Contributions and challenges

The survey included two open-ended questions: "What has been Cardinal Mahony's greatest contribution as Archbishop of Los Angeles?" and "What is the greatest challenge facing Cardinal Mahony as Archbishop of Los Angeles?"

Many respondents to the first question tend to agree about Cardinal's Mahony's contributions as archbishop. They cite building the new cathedral, convening the Synod, speaking out for social justice, making contributions in the area of liturgy, exercising collaborative leadership and encouraging lay ministry, dividing the Archdiocese into regions, and being media savvy.

Reactions to the question about the greatest challenge facing Cardinal Mahony addressed issues experienced by U.S. dioceses in general because of broad factors facing Catholicism, and issues specific to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the leadership of the cardinal.

"Issues experienced by U.S. dioceses" include responding to the fallout of the sexual abuse scandal, the need for evangelization, declining vocations to the priesthood and religious life and its implications, and concerns relating to left-right theological debates within the church.

"Issues specific to Los Angeles" include the size and diversity of the population of the archdiocese, the state of archdiocesan finances, the need to implement the Synod initiatives, the need for listening and collaboration, and clergy morale and the cardinal's relationship with the presbyterate.

Follow-up

Having reflected on "the many positive commendations and areas needing attention and development," a committee headed by Msgr. O'Connell surfaced recommendation around three areas: pastoral, strategic and personal.

Pastoral: because of strong support voiced for evangelization, the committee encouraged the implementation of the Synod process, and that Cardinal Mahony write a pastoral letter on evangelization (listed as the first Synod pastoral initiative). The letter would integrate both theological and pastoral components and make practical suggestions for implementation.

Additionally, the committee suggested that regional institutes on evangelization, including whole community catechesis, be developed, involving the regional bishops and local leadership.

Long-Range Strategic Planning: The committee recommended an Office of Planning be created to implement goals emerging from the Synod, and to address such specific concerns as:

---The decreasing number of priests, and development of new models for parish leadership.

---Salaries and benefits for church ministers, and stewardship of archdiocesan resources.

---Increase and fluctuation in population, including ethnic diversity.

---Demographic trends, acquiring lands and surveying parish buildings.

Personal: Noting that concerns around the cardinal's presence and connection to laity surfaced in several places, the committee suggested the following:

---Archdiocesan assemblies for laity and priests, to affirm the laity's role and "broad base" the leadership of the local church, and deanery meetings to include both clergy and laity, to support collaborative leadership styles (while maintaining some deanery meetings for clergy only).

---A greater emphasis on "knowing the people" entrusted to Cardinal Mahony's care, including quality of presence, taking time with people and a willingness to be interested in a person's life.

---Improving priest's morale (which the survey indicated as generally low), with the cardinal making greater efforts toward the encouragement of priests and rebuilding trust.

---A greater presence at the Archdiocesan Catholic Center by visiting more regularly with departments and personnel at the archdiocesan and regional offices to listen, discuss, communicate, affirm and challenge.

---(For Cardinal Mahony and parish communities) More attention and acknowledgement of issues concerning those who feel marginalized, including divorced and separated, single parents and gay and lesbian Catholics.

In addition to Msgr. O'Connell, the committee making the recommendations included Social Service sister Chris Machado, Deacon Bob Miller, Ms. Jocelyn Lyons, Religious Sister of Charity Edith Prendergast, Ms. Rose Hernandez, Msgr. John Moretta and Ms. Irma Landesfeinel.