Bishop resigns after admitting he fathered 2 children

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
1/5/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Auxiliary Bishop Zavala of Los Angeles admitted in December to fathering two children.

A Los Angeles bishop has resigned amid scandal after acknowledging that he is the father of two teenagers.

The Bishop Zavala has resigned after admitting he fathered two children

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LOS ANGELES, Ca (Catholic Online) - Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop Gabino Zavala, 60, tendered his resignation on Wednesday, which the Holy Father subsequently accepted.

Under canon law, bishops cannot resign until age 75 unless they are ill or there is some other reason that they are unfit for their office. In this case, the resignation is because of the latter.

Most Catholic priests (with some exceptions) take a vow to remain celibate. Priests that do not wish to remain celibate and pursue marriage may seek to be laicized and released from the clerical state. However, in Zavala's case, that had not occurred.

Rather, he conducted his immoral and illicit relationship with a woman and fathered two children while keeping the matter from parishioners and church authority.

Zavala admitted to Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez in December, that he had fathered two children, now teenagers, who lived in another state with their mother, while serving as a priest.

The conduct of a hidden affair outside of marriage - and the violation of the the priestly vows of celibacy - represents a substantial moral shortfall completely unacceptable for a Bishop. Fortunately, he acknowledged his hidden life to the Archbishop and submitted his resignation to Rome.

For its part, the Archdiocese has pledged to support the children fathered by Zavala, offering critical spiritual and financial support, including aid for college costs.

There is no indication that Zavala's conduct was criminal in any way. However, it was immoral. It was also a violation of his vows and his clerical vocation. There is no word yet on what Zavala will do next, but he can no longer continue to serve within the church as a member of the clergy.

Sadly, this news does little to improve the public image of the clergy, tragically rocked by a series of scandals over the past two decades. However, the overwhelming majority of clergy members are faithful and heroic in their service to the Lord and His Church.

� 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Zavala, Auxiliary Bishop, Los Angeles

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1 - 8 of 8 Comments

Eva dela Cruz
1 year ago
All other Catholic priests and bishops should leave their vocations if they cannot fulfill their vows (chastity, poverty and obedience) to God. That is the right thing to do. They spent ten years to be ordained as priest and must know that God cannot be deceived and so they should know better. The qualifications for priestly vocations must be met. Bishops must be responsible for those under them and must act accordingly. That is why evil prevails because of their negligence.
harvey gold
1 year ago
The media has not covered the scandal of the LA bishop's lying, cheating, fraudulent conduct as front page news - which it is. Instead most stories focus on other aspects of the man's service - not his deceitful long-time immoral behavior. Keep in mind this man was a liar and using parishioners money - that's where his salary comes from - to support his paramour and the illegitimate children. The question of celibacy is irrelevent to the story. He lied. Cheated. Abused the trust of everyone. By the way, is he another one of the millions of mexican illegals demonstrating contempt for the Rule of Law and decency? It looks like it. Break into the US...get into a position where undermining fairness to US citizens can take place and he is lauded as a "good man." And the church plans to let taxpayers/parishioners pay for the illegitimate kids college...IS THIS A GREAT COUNTRY OR WHAT? iS ANYONE GOING TO CALL HIM OUT FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE?
DLL
1 year ago
A Protestant Minister can get married and have children and serve one church community in a single town for his whole life. The Catholic Priests are moved around to different parishes every 4 years or where ever they are needed most. They as religious serve the needs of the Church first and foremost. As we all really know sex and marriage don't necessarily spell total success and happiness in this life. Scandal is very much apart of the lives of many who are married and will not take their marriage vows seriously. Priests with vows that they ignore are a futile part of the priesthood. Sin is the problem NOT the lifestyle. Personally I would not mind being celibate and a loyal servant as a religious. It is a wonderful vocation. I see your point Nicholas S but I can't agree. Sincerity in every human effort forges trust. No one can be trusted if they are insincere,no matter what their vocation is,as they are a source of every kind of scandal.
Nicholas S.
1 year ago
The same week as this resignation is announced we hear of the Ordinariate for married Anglican clergy to become Catholic priests. The exception proves the rule. Abolish mandatory celibacy; it is unenforceable, and each and every violation is a potential scandal for the Church.
Gabriella
1 year ago
The devil never sleeps! - we must always remember that. There is too much associating of clergy with laity, especially women and not enough time spent in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
I am wondering about the woman who had relationship with the Bishop, though. What kind of woman, knowing that he was a Bishop, would fall into the temptation of sinning with him, not once, or twice! I know that we must not judge but enough is enough! It takes two to tango, as they say. This kind of behavior disappoints us very much - but we must hold on to the Truth. The great majority of our clergy are holy men, faithful to their vows and promises, thanks be to God!
DLL
1 year ago
Honesty is the best policy,secrecy in such matters,I would have to confess is insincerity. Only then can a sin like this truly can be forgiven when it is properly confessed. Penance has its own measure in these matters. The children are a blessing,it is the deception that seems most wrong. Resignation is extreme,but I suppose the best form of penance,simply because secular society and the Laity,are this Bishops most severe judges. It is too bad because we look to our Priests to have a perfect sense of the Mercy which is Jesus Christ. The secular press? They love to hate the Catholic Church. All that like confession as a Sacrement want theirs sins forgiven. Mercy must be for all. Penance? All must do this! Mercy! "The one that is without sin? Cast the first stone!"
ada
1 year ago
this is reallyb scandalous, i hope it will not happen again.
Greg
1 year ago
It is 50 years after Vatican II, Lord!
I beg You! It is finaly time For Holy Spirit!
Your will be done, though.
Saint Catherine of Siena, pray for us!

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