For years, Archbishop José H. Gomez, head of the largest Catholic diocese in the United States, has faced calls to take a stronger stance on behalf of Los Angeles, a city in urgent need of compassionate leadership.
Since taking office in 2011, Gomez has largely positioned himself against the more liberal currents of the city he is meant to minister to, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Notably, he has criticized ‘woke’ culture and declined to engage with progressive Catholic groups. A prominent example of this was his reaction to the Los Angeles Dodgers honoring the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a drag troupe that raises funds for marginalized communities. Gomez led a dedicated Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels that seemed to serve as a public exorcism in protest.
Despite his strong opinions on various cultural matters, Gomez remained notably silent as President Donald Trump, running for office in 2024, threatened to escalate immigration enforcement against those without legal status in the United States.
In previous years, while serving as the head of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Gomez earnestly advocated for immigrant dignity and called for comprehensive reforms to the immigration system. However, his recent shift towards more conservative positions has led to criticisms, including the National Catholic Reporter labeling him a ‘failed culture warrior’ after he was recognized as a significant figure in Catholic news.
Gomez’s evolution into a more conservative figure is particularly disappointing given Los Angeles’ rich history of supporting immigrant communities. Past archbishops like John Cantwell, Luis Olivares, and Richard Estrada exemplified more welcoming attitudes towards Latino immigrants, with Olivares and Estrada making La Placita Church a safe haven for Central American immigrants during the tumultuous 1980s and 1990s.
In contrast, Cardinal Roger Mahony, Gomez’s predecessor, gained national recognition for his vocal opposition to anti-immigrant legislation and demonstrated solidarity by marching alongside immigrant rights advocates. Gomez, however, has thus far failed to embrace this legacy.
As Los Angeles began pushing back against federal immigration raids earlier this month, expectations were low for Gomez’s involvement. Notably, Father Gregory Boyle of Homeboy Industries engaged in community activism with a viral video decrying the inhumanity of labeling humans as ‘illegal’ and emphasizing the moral obligation to support marginalized individuals.
Similarly, other faith leaders, including Brendan Busse from Dolores Mission, actively participated in protests against the immigration raids, which included the arrest of SEIU California president David Huerta for civil disobedience.
Father Peter O’Reilly, retired from the L.A. Archdiocese for over 17 years, attended a protest in support of immigrants and publicly asserted that it was crucial to show solidarity with those in need.
In stark contrast, Gomez’s commentary surrounding these events seemed tepid at best.
On June 8, he issued a lackluster statement expressing being ‘troubled’ by the recent immigration raids and encouraged parishes to engage in prayer for peace—yet there was no substantive action supporting the community.
Meanwhile, Bishop Kevin Vann from the Diocese of Orange and his auxiliary bishops released a powerful letter denouncing the raids, emphasizing the fear and anxiety inflicted on hard-working, everyday families.
When the Diocese of Orange provides a more forceful defense of immigrant rights than Gomez’s own Archdiocese, the discrepancy becomes glaring.
Despite my frustrations with Gomez’s previous inaction, I opted to reserve judgment, holding onto the hope that he would begin to embody the role he is called to play.
Recent developments, however, signal a potential shift in Gomez’s approach.
On June 10, the same day he asked followers to pray for peace, he took the initiative to attend an interfaith vigil, joining leaders like Boyle and Busse to emphasize that immigration is about more than just political debates—it is about our humanity and our moral identity.
This event drew over 1,000 attendees, and Gomez’s presence was seen as a meaningful step forward.
He also asked all archdiocesan parishes to organize special Masses focused on the pressing immigration issues facing the community.
At one of these special Masses held in the cathedral, Gomez urged congregants to offer consolation, strength, and encouragement to their neighbors enduring distress.
In his regular column for Angelus News, Gomez did not shy away from criticizing the Biden administration while also condemning Trump’s raids as punitive and destructive, stating, ‘This is not policy, it is punishment, and it can only result in cruel and arbitrary outcomes.’
Busse remarked on the significance of Gomez’s public attendance at the vigil, noting that since Trump’s inauguration, actions at Dolores Mission have empowered networks that alert community members about impending immigration raids.
While acknowledging Gomez’s recent steps forward, Busse emphasized the need for ongoing and courageous actions from all religious leaders in the face of moral crises.
Joseph Tómas McKellar, executive director of PICO California, expressed optimism about Gomez’s resurgence from a period of political reticence, highlighting the church’s responsibility to provide prophetic leadership in advocating for social justice.
He noted the importance of actively denouncing injustices while offering a vision of hope for the future—traits that Gomez seems to be adopting gradually.
An archdiocese spokesperson stated that Gomez was unavailable for further comment as he was attending a bishops’ retreat.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops recently released a reflection addressing the anxiety crushing communities nationwide resulting from heightened immigration enforcement activities.
While I do not expect Archbishop Gomez’s political stance to fully align with the progressive spirit of Los Angeles, it is encouraging to see him taking steps toward more inclusive leadership.
He remains affiliated with the orthodox Opus Dei movement and is linked to the Napa Institute, an organization with a well-known conservative outlook—that said, his recent actions may indicate a willingness to evolve as a leader.
As Los Angeles grapples with pressing immigration challenges, Gomez’s emerging voice and his calls to action serve as a critical point of support for immigrants and marginalized communities alike.
Ultimately, I hope he continues to amplify his voice and that the vast community of Catholics in the region—along with all Angelenos—rallies around his messages of compassion and action for the immigrant population.
As Busse wisely concluded, ‘If the faith community doesn’t stand up when there’s a moral issue to stand up for, then I don’t know what happens.’
image source from：latimes
