Driving Force Auxiliary Bishop Richard Garcia Heads to Monterey to Become Only the Second Latino to Lead a California Diocese, by Jennifer Garza, Sacramento Bee [Monterey CA], January 27, 2007

Driving Force
Auxiliary Bishop Richard Garcia Heads to Monterey to Become Only the Second Latino to Lead a California Diocese

By Jennifer Garza
Sacramento Bee [Monterey CA]
January 27, 2007

http://www.sacbee.com/107/story/113680.html

If you ask, Auxiliary Bishop Richard Garcia will say the best part of his job over the past nine years has been visiting parishioners.

Then he'll add that the worst part has been going to see all those parishioners.

"Oh, the driving. ... That's one thing I won't miss at all," says Garcia, laughing.

Claudio Gutierrez of Vacaville kisses the hand of Auxiliary Bishop Richard Garcia during a Sacramento Mass in March that celebrated the contributions of immigrant workers, many of whom wore tools of their trade.
Photo by Sacramento Bee file, 2006/Hector Amezcua

Garcia has served in the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento for nine years as assistant to Bishop William K. Weigand and has logged more than 265,000 miles on his odometer. Now he's leaving to become the bishop of the Diocese of Monterey, where he hopes to spend less time on the road.

At 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Garcia will celebrate his last worship service in the Sacramento Diocese, a bilingual Mass at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. It is open to the public.

Q: You've focused your ministry in several areas, but immigration seems the most important to you.

Auxiliary Bishop Richard Garcia leads marchers in a demonstration in March against a House bill to tighten immigration laws.
Photo by Sacramento Bee file, 2006/Hector Amezcua

A: My parents were immigrants. They came from Mexico to find work in this country. When I go to the migrant camps, I hear the same things my parents said -- they just want a better life for their families.

Q: You will be only the second Latino bishop to lead a diocese in California. Why, in a state where about 50 percent of Catholics are Latino, aren't there more Latino bishops?

A: I really don't know. But there is a definite need.

Parishioners join Sacramento's Auxiliary Bishop Richard Garcia last year in protesting proposed immigration legislation.
Photo by Sacramento Bee file, 2006/Hector Amezcua

Q: Is there one moment that stands out for you here (in Sacramento)?

A: Easter Mass at Folsom prison in 1999. There was a prisoner there, and it was his first time at Mass in years. He didn't feel worthy because he had murdered someone in a church and he thought God would never forgive him. I hugged him. He hugged me. It was the best resurrection experience I ever had.

Q: What has happened to him?

Auxiliary Bishop Richard Garcia embraces his boss, Bishop William K. Weigand, during a Mass near the start of Garcia's stint in Sacramento
Photo by Sacramento Bee file, 1998/Jose Luis Villegas

A: He'll be in prison for the rest of his life. But from what I understand, he's changed.

Q: What is the biggest challenge facing the Sacramento Diocese?

A: Growth. The diocese has to keep up with all the immigrants coming in -- and that means more buildings and more schools.

Auxiliary Bishop Richard Garcia marches with migrant workers and their families and other supporters near Dixon.
Photo by Sacramento Bee file, 2001/Jose M. Osorio

Q: How has the clergy sexual-abuse scandal affected people locally?

A: People were upset. Angry. And I don't blame them. A lot of damage was done.

For me, personally, it has made me a better listener. I have met with many of the victims from this diocese. A lot of them have told me how grateful they are to have someone listen. It's been a very painful time in the Catholic Church for a lot of people.

Q: What do you think will be the biggest challenges facing you in Monterey?

A: The growth there, too. But also the gap between the rich and the poor.

Q: You're from the Bay Area. Are you happy to go back?

A: I'm happy to be going back near the ocean. When I was a child in San Francisco, my grandfather and I used to walk on the beach several times a week, so the ocean is very special to me.

Q: What are you going to miss most about the Sacramento Diocese?

A: I'm going to miss going to the schools to see the kids, the confirmations and the parish visits. Also, I want to thank the people here for being so good to me, and I ask that you pray for me, remain hopeful in God.

Q: You and Bishop Weigand are neighbors in Curtis Park. What has it been like living across the street from your boss?

A: It's been very handy -- especially when he had food. Really, it was nice, it gave us a chance to talk about what was going on in the diocese. Now he brings Rubio (Weigand's dog) over. ... I'm really going to miss those visits.

The Bee's Jennifer Garza can be reached at (916) 321-1133 or jgarza@sacbee.com