Since 1996 Cardinal Mahony
has conducted an online chat session (originally on CompuServe, later
with AOL, and now with ChurchWerks). First, in a private chat with school
students from the
archdiocese (this year with St. John Chrysostom School), and then in a nationwide chat session
that YOU can join in.
This
is this the Cardinal's 14th annual online appearance and one of the highlights for the 40,000 attendees
at the four-day event.
Moderator: Cardinal Roger Mahony was born in
Hollywood,
Calif.,
and was ordained a priest in 1962 for the Diocese of Fresno, Calif. While
there, he taught social work at California State University, Fresno. In
1975, he was made Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Fresno by Pope Paul
VI. That year, California Governor Jerry Brown appointed Bishop Mahony as
the first chair of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board, where
he worked with Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers and various growers
in the state to resolve labor disputes.
Moderator: In 1980, Bishop Mahony was appointed
as Bishop of the Diocese of Stockton. Only five years later he was appointed
to lead the Archdiocese of Los Angeles – the first native Angeleno to hold
the office. Bishop Mahony was elevated to Cardinal by Pope John Paul II in
1991. Cardinal Mahony joins us this morning, in his 25th year as leader of
the Los Angeles Archdiocese, the nation's largest diocese.
CardinalMahony: Hi, everyone!!
Carlos
de alba: What is the meaning of Lent?
CardinalMahony: Lent is a time during the year when we reflect on Jesus
life, His sufferings, death, and resurrection. Lent calls us to turn away from sin, do penance, pray more,
and give alms to help the poor. 40 days long.
Rick:
Is it a mortal sin if you unknowingly eat meat on Friday during Lent?
CardinalMahony: No, you cannot commit any serious sin without full
knowledge, full intention. Actually accidentally eating meat on Friday
happens to all of us now and then.
Moderator: Why are Sundays of lent not part of lent?
CardinalMahony: Interesting: Sundays are seen as "rest stops" on our journey
of Lent. However, I still try to maintain any penance even on the Sundays.
Kraig
Taylor: Since it is the Holy Spirit and not the priest who is responsible
for changing the bread and wine into the Body and Blood, wouldn’t anyone
with the Holy Spirit be able to do this?
CardinalMahony: It is not just the Holy Spirit. The priest has been ordained
by the bishop to be the representative of Jesus Christ, and to renew His
original sacrifice. You need the priest who acts in the person of Christ.
Brent:
In a time when we're short on numbers of priests, and in today's day of
equality for everyone, doesn't it make sense to let women become priests in
the Catholic Church?
CardinalMahony: The matter of priests in the Roman Catholic Church flows
from what Jesus did in His time, and how the Apostles and early disciples
understood what Jesus wanted for the Church. Although Jesus had many women
involved in his ministry, He did not choose any of them to be Apostles or
priests. Although not priests, our women in the Church are incredibly
valuable in every way. Their leadership is awesome in every way.
CardinalMahony: Also: equality of persons does not imply equality of
function.
Steve:
How can we encourage more new priests?
CardinalMahony: We are finding that many men are interested in being
priests, but these men need to be invited by all of us to consider the
priesthood. Any of you interested in being a priest?
Leo:
What are some ways to help strengthen the bridge between people and priests.
CardinalMahony: Priests who are outgoing, who are filled with faith and
hope, and who encourage others create terrific bridges among everyone.
I find the priests here in Los Angeles to relate really well to all of our people.
ess:
What are your thoughts on when there is no priest for celebrating the mass,
can a lay person conduct a communion service/a paraliturgical service?
CardinalMahony: We have provision for the celebration of a Communion Service
in the absence of a priest. I think this is used more often in the large,
rural areas of the country rather than in our larger cities where there are
always Churches around with regular Masses.
Elizabeth Hawkins: Your Eminence, After decades of devoted service to our
parish, several of us were driven out by a business manager and a parish
administrator. It has been a traumatic and heartbreaking experience for us
to lose our parish home after so many years. My question is: where can we
turn for help? We went to our regional bishop, and called Human Resources,
but no one was willing or able to assist us. We were lied to, and our
situation was disregarded. Our hearts are broken, and several of us are
unable to attend mass because we are so disillusioned, and so hurt. We are
among the 10% of people who do 90% of the work in the parish, and we don't
understand why we were treated so poorly.
CardinalMahony: It's really not easy to discuss such a large and complex
issue on-line. I would certainly arrange to meet with your Dean to discuss
the situation.
Pat:
Cardinal, what is your position on the health care bill? Is it the same as
the other bishops who oppose President Obama's plan because of abortion?
CardinalMahony: Unfortunately, the present health care bill fails to offer
conscience protection for all in health care services, and it does not
maintain the status quo on abortion; rather, the bill actually provides for
the public funding of abortions. Sure wish they were using the House version
for that important language.
Robert: What should be the role of religion in today's government?
CardinalMahony: Religious and ethical values and principles must underpin
all that we do as a country and as a community. It would be helpful if more
legislators were functioning from good, solid values and principles.
Corrine Bayley: What is the most important issue facing the Church today?
Facing the world today? Thank you for your reflections.
CardinalMahony: In terms of the Church in this country, I think one of our
biggest challenges is the continuing growth of the Church. But we need to
reach out far greater to our young people and our young adults.
CardinalMahony: With respect to the world, the terrible waste of billions of
dollars annually on the purchase of armaments continues to diminish those
countries which should be building schools and hospitals, not armed forces.
World peace among nations is an imperative.
Moderator: I'm trying to get a friend of mine to convert. What do you
suggest are the best initial conversations to engage him with?
CardinalMahony: I would try to introduce him to Jesus in a personal way, and
then to trace the early foundations of our Church from the time of Jesus
down to our own time. Bring him to Mass with you. Lots of folks do not
understand the history of the Church from the time of Jesus to now.
CardinalMahony: Also, there are many fine pamphlets or small books to give
to your friend.
Moderator: I have always been confused with the separation between Catholics
and Protestants. We serve one God and one Christ. As long as I am involved
with community, accountability, and am serving God... why does my church
type matter?
CardinalMahony: We always go back to the history of the Church – trace that
history from the time of Jesus. Our Church has maintained that continuity of
the Eucharist and the Sacramental life of the Church over the centuries.
That's why we have so much in common with the Orthodox Churches, and not so
much with the others.
CardinalMahony: Our ecumenical and interfaith relationships are excellent,
and we still do many good things together.
Greg
Youell: How can we inoculate our younger Catholics from the zeal of
Evangelicals and Pentecostals? And how does Your Eminence think the Church
can best rekindle its own sense of missionary zeal to lead non-believers and
separated brethren back to the one holy Catholic and apostolic Church?
CardinalMahony: We need to create that same sense of excitement and zeal
among our young people, our young adults. We need to provide more of the
"Come Home to the Church" programs throughout the years.
Moderator: is going to mass and receiving communion a sin while you are in
sin
CardinalMahony: Going to Mass is always a help, never a sin. But to receive
Holy Communion, we must be worthy and free from any grave sin.
Joseph: Is stealing money out of mom's purse a venial or moral sin?
CardinalMahony: Stealing money out of mom's purse is not a good idea! But at
most, it would be a venial sin. Most kids are tempted to do that in their
younger years, but grow out of it.
Gail:
Cardinal, what are your thoughts about the children kicked out of school in
Denver for having two mommies
CardinalMahony: I'm not aware of that situation in Denver; sorry.
Agnes:
My boyfriend and I are both Catholic and want to get married. But he has
been married in the church and has not gotten an annulment because he
doesn't think he can get one. Why is the church so judgmental on two people
who want to stay in the church and have a sanctified union?
CardinalMahony: Have your boyfriend talk to a priest about that first
marriage in the Church. Don't presume he can't get an annulment. Remember:
it was Jesus who gave us our teaching on the deep value of each valid
marriage. But have him go soon and find out for sure.
Moderator: What can we do as a church community if we feel that our priests
and bishop in our local area are not helping with the Hispanic ministry and
in fact relieving them from our diocese, Is there any way to appeal to an
authority inside the church, Thank you Your eminence.
Brian:
To continue a previously discussed topic: do you think the church will ever
ordain female priests?
CardinalMahony: I really don't know the future of that issue. Sorry.
Moderator: Cardinal, can you talk more about the immigration event you are
attending on Sunday and Monday
CardinalMahony: On Sunday there is a large Rally on the Capitol Mall in
Washington DC urging Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform. Our
present laws are both outdated and immoral, and do not take into account the
fact that we have 12 million people living in the shadows here in our
country. On Monday we will be meeting with key Senators to advance
immigration reform.
Joe:
Cardinal, how does retirement work for clergy? What will you do in your
retirement as Archbishop of Los Angeles?
CardinalMahony: Priests and bishops are required to submit our resignations
at age 75. I look forward to just continuing ministry – such as working with
immigrants and their rights, poverty programs, hospital visits, and the
like.
Chris:
When will your successor be revealed? How does that work?
CardinalMahony: Once the Pope makes his final decision about my successor,
he will inform the Apostolic Nuncio in Wash DC, who will then advise me. We
will then prepare for a public announcement of who it will be.
Moderator: It's time. We will have to end our session today. Thank you
again, Cardinal
CardinalMahony: God bless all of you!!!
|
Read the transcripts from other Religious Education Congress online
chats |
Congress Chat
History:
Beginning
in 1996 on CompuServe, Cardinal Roger Mahony conducted the first
nationwide, online (typing) live from Hall A at the Anaheim
Convention Center. in 2001 the Cardinal suggested adding a private
chat with students from a school in the Archdiocese. Since then, we
have had the tradition of a private school chat.
Los Angeles Archbishop José Gomez continued the tradition of a
Congress Chat, and now we've expanded our chats to include regional
bishops and schools from their region. This year, Bishop David
O'Connell joins us for our sixth video chat with a school from his
region.
|
 with
Auxiliary Bishop David O'Connell of the San Gabriel Region
2019 (All
Souls, Alhambra) |
 with
Los Angeles Archbishop José Gomez
2017 (St
Francis of Assisi, L.A.)
•
2016 (St
Mary Magdalen, Camarillo)
•
2015 (St
Finbar School, Burbank)
•
2014 (St
Columbkille School, L.A.)
•
2013 (St
Bernard School, L.A.)
•
2012 (St
Dorothy School, Glendora)
•
2011 (St Thomas
School, L.A.) |
 with
Cardinal Roger Mahony, Archbishop Emeritus of Los Angeles
2010 •
2010 (St John Chrysostom
School, Inglewood)
•
2009 •
2009 (St Elisabeth, Van
Nuys)
•
2008 •
2008 (Sacred Heart,
Covina)
•
2007 •
2007 (St
Benedict, Montebello)
•
2007 (St Rita, Sierra Madre)
• 2006
• 2006 (Holy Innocents, Long Beach)
• 2005
• 2004 • 2003
• 2001 •
2001 (St Jerome, Westchester)
•
2001
(Holy Family, South Pasadena) •
2000
• 1999 •
1998 • 1997 •
1996 |
 with
Auxiliary Bishop Edward Clark of the Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral
Region
2002 |
2016 Marks 20 Years of
Congress Chats — The first (typing) RECongress chat was held on Friday,
February 23, 1996 on CompuServe with Cardinal Roger Mahony. Ten
years later, on Friday, March 31, 2006, the Cardinal's annual chat
was conducted in a room hosted on ChurchWerks.com. The Cardinal
participated in 22 Congress chats (both nationwide and with schools)
over 14 years.
At Congress 2016, Archbishop José Gomez has continued the tradition
of (now, video) chats with school students from the Archdiocese.
This was his sixth Congress chat (and fourth video chat) conducted
from the Tech Center, located in the center of Exhibit Hall A at the Religious Education Congress.
The RECongress chat are now continued through the regional bishops,
while the Archbishop now holds an event on Facebnook Live.
Beginning on CompuServe,
the RECongress nationwide chats
have been hosted by AOL Live! (1997-2000), Beliefnet (2001),
CatholicWeb.com (2002-2003), and ChurchWerks.com (2004-2010). The
school chats have been conducted on AOL (2001-2006), Yahoo (2007), Chatzy (2008-2012), Skype (2013-2014) and Google+ (2015-2016). |
Transcript
of online session with Cardinal Roger Mahony 
