ARTICLES

On the Side of Christ

Bishop Vigneron Welcomed to Oakland

By Phil Sevilla

The diocese of Oakland sponsored a welcoming Mass on February 26 for the new coadjutor bishop of Oakland, Allen Vigneron, at St. Elizabeth's parish church in Oakland. Bishop Vigneron will be succeeding retiring Bishop John Cummins in the near future.

There was an abundance of pomp and circumstance at the event, especially during the opening procession. Over 60 deacons led the clergy into the church, followed by approximately 180 priests, then several dozen bishops. Finally, processing down the main aisle in red chasubles were the main celebrants, including Bishops Cummins and Vigneron; the papal nuncio, Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo; San Francisco's Archbishop Levada, in red chasubles. Cardinal Roger Mahony of the Los Angeles archdiocese brought up the rear.

The opening hymn was the traditional, "Holy God We Praise Thy Name." But besides this and the recessional hymn ("Be Thou My Vision"), most of the liturgy was an amalgamation of multi-lingual and multi-ethnic elements.

Dr. Brian Hockel, who attended the Mass, observed that, during the liturgy, "the entire block of people around me, all lay people and nuns" inserted inclusive language into some of the prayers: "'May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands, for the praise and glory of God's name, for our good, and the good of all God's church' and 'It is right to give God thanks and praise.' They all, with exceptions I could count on one hand, stood for the entire Eucharistic prayer," said Hockel.

When the papal nuncio, Archbishop Montalvo, said a few words to congratulate the new bishop, he seemed to emphasize that Bishop Vigneron was chosen by the Holy Father and that Oakland was always on the mind of the pope. Bishop Vigneron's homily inspired and encouraged the attendees I talked with. In Brian Hockel's words: "Bishop Vigneron's sermon was great. He said he wasn't here for a promotion or to advance a career, but to give himself to us as Christ gave Himself to His Church. He promised to 'honor and cherish us all the days of his life.' He spoke of Christ's real presence (Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity), protecting life from conception to natural death, Mary and the saints, unwavering loyalty to the Holy Father (which didn't get applause), and a special responsibility to the priests."

According to Dr. Edgar Suter, who also attended the Mass, "it was the first time at a diocesan Mass that I heard any clergy or prelate refer to 'sinfulness leading to eternal damnation' and the 'narrow path to Heaven.' He promised to protect his little ones from the wolves St. Paul warned have been sent among us. He also promised to be available to each and every one of us."

Suter's impressions of Vigneron did not change after Mass ended. "I was touched by the humility and love of this man," said Suter. "I was kneeling at the curb, then he stopped and blessed my family, especially so sweetly blessing Regina" -- Suter's infant daughter.

"He will have his work cut out for him, but Bishop Vigneron is no doubt on the side of Christ, His truth and His love," said Hockel. "Vigneron will be a good mix of truth and love, I think."

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