Awash in an amber autumn glow, the sanctuary of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels was overflowing Nov. 4 with people who had come from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and beyond to witness the Episcopal Ordination of new San Pedro Region Auxiliary Bishop Alexander Salazar.
The ancient ceremony, witnessed by 3,000 clergy and laity as well as over a dozen interfaith religious leaders, was conducted in Latin, English, Spanish and Korean, acknowledging Bishop Salazar's native country of Costa Rica as well as the significant Asian community residing within the San Pedro pastoral region.
Red-uniformed junior high students from St. Teresa of Avila School in Silverlake (where the new bishop had been pastor for 10 years) preceded the solemn entrance procession highlighted by dramatic changes in light as rays of the sun burst through overhead passing clouds, illuminating the cathedral's alabaster windows. A beaming Bishop-elect Salazar nodded to family and friends in the congregation as he filed into the church along with 25 co-ordaining bishops and principal ordaining bishop, Cardinal Roger Mahony.
Alternating between English and Spanish in his homily, Cardinal Mahony noted the "reality of this moment," citing the existence of division, conflict, tension, hatred, polarization, abuse and scandal throughout the world. "It is precisely into this reality that our Lord Jesus Christ calls you and send you," declared the cardinal. "God shows us the way. There is a path toward unity and harmony and peacefulness. The Scriptures today assist us and help us lift our heads to look ahead in hope and faith and joy in following the plan that God has for us."
The congregation collectively chuckled when Cardinal Mahony said Bishop Salazar would be embarking on his "great honeymoon period" which will last until he has to make his first decision. "That's when the tires really hit the road, because somebody is not going to like it," the cardinal said.
"We have to help everyone listen to each other and to grow together because there's no worse scandal in the church than division and the lack of unity and harmony," Cardinal Mahony continued. He noted the importance of healing and reconciliation and the ability to ask each other's pardon toward achieving unity in the one Body of Christ.
After prostrating himself for the litany of the saints and later kneeling for the age-old ritual of laying on of hands and the prayer of ordination, Bishop Salazar was anointed with holy oil, which had been brought up by his mother, Hilda. In a touching moment later in the ceremony, when a mitered Bishop Salazar circled the cathedral giving his first blessing, he hugged his mother seated in the pews adjacent to the "cathedra" (archbishop's chair).
In his first address at the conclusion of the liturgy, Bishop Salazar said he was not prepared to concede to the public perception that it was a difficult time in history (alluding to the clergy sexual abuse crisis) to become a bishop. "These times are really the best of times, for never have we been so aware of the need for the Lord and his presence in our lives," said Bishop Salazar. "I give my gratitude to the wonderful people of God. Through the intercession of Our Lady of the Angels, may we do what Jesus tells us," said the bishop.
Speaking on behalf of Bishop Salazar's relatives, his sister, Hilda Sellers, told The Tidings after the ceremony: "We are blessed as a family, and we hope everyone will continue to pray for my brother." Her youngest son, Matthew, 16, who attended the ordination with his two older brothers, Will, 19, and Michael, 22, said the family was overwhelmed by how many people turned out for the ordination. His grandmother (Bishop Salazar's mother) Hilda, said she is very thankful to God for her "wonderful son" who first expressed the desire to be a priest at age six, two years after immigrating to Southern California from Costa Rica with his family.
Bishop Salazar's first cousin, Ana Herrera, who traveled from Costa Rica for the ceremony, described Bishop Salazar as "a friend to all." Growing up together in the Los Angeles area, Herrera said the two used to play either "Superman or priest." According to Herrera, she always knew he would become a bishop "because he has the humility for it." Marta Zwickel, another cousin and resident of Torrance in the San Pedro Region, said the bishop will be a caring shepherd. "He knows the struggle," she said. "He's going to be a unifier."
Vercie Carmonjohnson, who was on the teaching staff at St. Albert the Great School in Compton along with Bishop Salazar during the '70s, said she admired his dedication to underprivileged children. "I appreciate his goodness and his gentleness," said Carmonjohnson. "He gave of his time and talent without counting the cost. He has stayed connected to many of his former students over the years."
George Erhard, a parishioner at St. Teresa of Avila Church who said Bishop Salazar was instrumental in his conversion to Catholicism two-and-a-half years ago, spoke in glowing terms about his former pastor. "He's the most charismatic man I've ever met in my life," said Erhard. "He captivates every audience he speaks to. He has a way of breaking through any human barriers and getting directly to your soul." Ellie Hidalgo contributed to this story.
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