Cirilo Flores, Ineffective Diocese of Orange Auxiliary Bishop, to Leave for Diocese of San Diego

By Gustavo Arellano Wed., Jan. 4 2012 at 8:40 AM

Categories: Ex Cathedra

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Flores

The era of Cirilo Flores--just named coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of San Diego--is ending the same way it started: with people trying to remember who he was.

Flores joined the Diocese of Orange in 2009 as an auxiliary bishop, really just filling the token Mexi bishop seat for head pedo-protector Tod D. Brown (the same way Dominic Luong is there to make Vietnamese Catholics happy). He did nothing of note in his three years here (tomorrow is the anniversary of his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI)--no outspoken protector of undocumented immigrants like his predecessor, Jaime Soto, or a pedophile protector supreme like Brownie. No, his pedophile protecting ways was while he was a plain ol' priest.

What's a coadjutor bishop for non-Papists? Essentially the heir to the bishop's seat. Flores will take over for current San Diego Bishop Robert Brom when he retires.

Now, the guessing game begins: who'll succeed Brownie, now that Flores is no more? Will Soto return from the Diocese of Sacramento--a real cow town by diocesan standards--to take the helm at his home diocese (Maybe, but most likely no)? Will it come from within the Orange diocese (not in a million years: you know the pickings are slim when the most prominent Latino priest--and Brownie's successor WILL be a Latino, if Benedict's focus on the global South is any indicator--is Art Holquin over at the Mission, as vain a man as you'll ever meet)? Some orthodox guy from the outside (you know it!)? Heckuva job, Brownie!

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Junk article. There is only hate in this article with no content.
Thank you, but my comment was directed Mr Arellano's "journalism."
I'm not sure who you are - But, I can say that when I read your article/s there's one thing that comes to my mind and that is you''re talking out of your ass.
Hello, just giving my opinion. You are free to make your own interpretation as I am to respond to Gustavo's piece. BTW, I am Catholic and participate in various ministries.
Gustavo, what about Bishop Gabino Zavala resigning today because he had two teenage children? Nice. Surprised you didn't have a blog about him.
Do you subject any other individuals or organizations to your self-righteous scrutiny and speculation or do you only hate the Catholic Church?
Gustavo, I once read in the LA Weekly a question raised regarding the sex abuse victims, would they ever regret accepting the payout rather than have had their day in court? I don't know the answer to that, but isn't the continued discussion of it a moot point? Also, I never understood why the victims on the special sexual abuse committee quit. I think one of them was your friend Joelle C. I read that they left because they felt the board was too biased in favor of priests. That never made sense to me. Do you quit because something is too hard? Also, Father Art Holquin is seriously disabled with a rare neurological disorder. I think at this point he's probably grateful to be alive and still pastor of the Basilica. I'm going to assume that you know that what happens re the next Bishop of Orange is up to the Pope. I think it's possible that a story gets told so often there's nothing left to say about it. Then it just elicits a groan whenever the subject arises. Also, it is true that you write in a mean-spirited style a lot and it's not always amusing. Sometimes Matt Coker does too, but not near as frequently as you. Because you are now the editor you won't think this, but to me it lessens your cred when you continue to chase the "non-story." And I usually read your work and like it, especially the pieces about Gonzalo Mendez.
Please accept my apology. I forgot that I am just a visitor on your planet.
Ask the sex-abuse survivors about the real Flores, and spare us the hagiography...
There is nothing wrong with the article..... it is just paranoid Catholics that hang onto every word printed in a public forum. Hate???? Do not believe Arellano is the one with hate... most likely it is blind Catholics that cannot read between the lines, especially as it relates to recent news events in the Diocese of Orange. Does anyone think it is odd that Cirilo Flores, an inactive attorney at law, is disappearing from the OC immediately after the DA and Santa Margarita Catholic HS coach fiasco, and embarassing public explanations given by the DA and Diocesan representatives? Personally, with two attorneys in the Diocese, Schinderle and Flores, does anyone truly believe that the OC District Attorney dealt with the HR Director Jules Benscoter when reporting the felony arrests of two Diocesan employees? The backroom secret privileges that continue between the OCDA and the Diocese are no longer secrets, opinion.... look how long it is taking for the OCDA to prosecute retired Catholic priest Denis Lyons. The Diocese if probably hoping that Lyons dies before the DA gets off his ass and criminally prosecutes a sexual predator that has hid behind his Catholic priest status for years. Bishop Cirilo Flores has done many great things.... but was he involved in failing to protect children from illegal drug activity? Moving Flores to San Diego only comes at a great time.... out of sight, out of mind - the core foundation of Bishop Brown and his corrupt attorneys. THIS IS AN EXERCISE OF GUARANTEED FREEDOMS OF SPEECH, PRESS AND OPINION.
Ask the poorest of the poor Latinos about the tireless work done by Bishop Flores to help them, particularly those at St. Anne's, those helped by Catholic Charities, those baptized, confirmed, and comforted by this great man. You judge him by his press releases instead of the work he did day and night, face to face with people. You don't like him simply because he never sought publicity for all that he did to help people. Give the man credit for working himself to the bone for those in need.
What did I get wrong?
How is it bigoted?
I couldn't agree more. Gustavo is a man filled with hate that has compromised his objectivity as a reporter, not that he ever had any to begin with. Enough, Gustavo, move on.
This is the most bigoted piece of writing I've come across in a long time. The OCW should be absolutely ashamed of itself for publishing this hate screed!