Comments on: Gerald Kicanas passed over as leader of Bishops conference

By: RoB

RoB — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 14:55:10 +0000

The NY Post may consider itself to be Americas oldest newspaper, but they need some improvement with their copy editing. IT’S Not Bishop Ticanas it’s Gerald F. Kicanas,, Bishop of Tucson.

By: Cody

Cody — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 05:18:31 +0000

First of all Tucson has had a Latin Mass community for many years that has rented space at a couple different parishes and they existed long before Bishop Kicanas arrived on the scene in ’03. Because of details related to a deceased Priest’s will, the Bishop declared the Latin Mass community an Oratory under the Institute of Christ the King in the summer of ’08. Kicanas has not allowed any parish to start up a Latin Mass per the request of parishioners under the spirit of Benedict’s Moto Proprio. He only allowed what was already there to remain! Like they say, “you know someone by who he hangs around with”. If you read what the Bishop publishes he will proudly tell you who he partners with to advance his chosen political agendas, like immigration/Obamacare/anti-SB1070/etc. One group he partners with is linked with Marxist Saul Alinsky’s Industrial Areas Foundation. A couple religious groups promote abortion and homosexuality. Another group has many members who express ‘gay/sexual issues’ as their agenda of choice. He stood in front of the press and TV cameras with the radical supporter of abortion, Rep Giffords. When opponents of Obamacare expressed their views in summer ’09 Kicanas was very concerned by “their lack of civility”. Of course when SB1070 protestors, on the day it took effect, marched with vile signs and walked on American flags 2 blocks from his office downtown and terrorized motorists on I-19 at Ajo, did the Bishop release a statement of being very concerned by the “lack of civility” of the people who he politically associates with? NO! There are also many instances where Kicanas has spoken out to defend liberal causes/persons but remain silent when a conservative issue/person presents itself, often making himself look hypocritical because of his silence. When the conservative National Catholic Register published a blog on the Bishop’s allowing the sex abuse related seminarian to be ordained, he immediately wanted his point of view published to clarify his position, which NCR did. When the left wing dissident Rainbow Sash group publicly endorsed him a week before the election, the Bishop was SILENT. Why? As a person who has spent years working in analytical jobs, my radar screen turns very much to the left in analyzing Bishop Kicanas!

By: Bill

Bill — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 19:10:59 +0000

The Bishop is WRONG!!!!!!!!!! He supports amnesty and ignores the facts! How many Illegals are in our prison system? 1 out of 3 or 4! How many are here to commit crimes? Their is a legal way to enter the country and become a citizen USE it! The Catholic church is way off to the left! It’s funny that they are against abortion etc etc etc & yet a big number of the Catholic diosese votes democrat! Bishop Kincanas’s stance on Immigration comes down to one thing & thats money! Make the illegals legal get more members into the church and increase revenue!!! Nevermind the anti- christian democrats!!! What a bunch of fools!

By: ricky

ricky — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 19:27:23 +0000

So far, you’re the only person who feels the need to discuss sexual orientation and pedophilia, so that discussion apparently presents issue only with you.

The Vatican declared having a homosexual orientation inconsistent with the priesthood. By actively admitting avowed homosexuals to USML, the administrators, including Kicanas, violated Vatican policy; and the seminary faced investigation because of that fact. This investigation or “visitation” became public long ago. In the 1990′s far more seminarians at USML possessed homosexual orientations over heterosexual orientations.
If outsiders know your previous bishop left under less than glowing terms, certainly you must. Consequently, an astute newly appointed bishop would prove foolish to implement similar decisions that forced his predecessor out of office. Kicanas possesses a great deal of savvy and chooses his battles well, so it’s no surprise he learned from the errors of the past through vicarious lessons at Bishop Moreno’s expense.
Kincanas spoke ad naseum about tolerance when rector and dispatched conservative seminarians but not liberal seminarians. Personality sets prove consistent after ages as young as five, and though people like to think others change – it proves highly difficult at best. Kicanas tolerates conservatives when he must, including obeying superiors. Had he not done so, he would not stay, just like his predecessor. Don’t mistake Kinanas carrying out the mandates of supervisors who ousted Moreno for changes of thought patterns; indeed research verifies little positive correlation between beliefs and actions.
Certainly the contemporaries of Kicanas sent a clear message in the vote, and it would prove patently obvious to the learned prelates whom among their candidates proves most in allegiance and continuity with Rome and the Pontiff.

By: reneeschaferhorton

reneeschaferhorton — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:59:09 +0000

Hi – great to have a comment from someone who was in seminary when Kicanas was rector. A couple of things – did you get ordained? Second, and I’ve said this in another comment, so excuse the repetition: Just because a seminarian is homosexual does not mean he isn’t celibate or that he is a pedophile. There have been reports of straight priests (and bishops) with lovers, so violating that vow is not simply a gay thing. Third, people change. Perhaps Kicanas was more on the lift as a rector than he has been as a bishop. But here in Tucson, he’s cracked down on “liberal” priests, he’s stopped practices at parishes that were traditions under the old bishop but go against Canon Law, he’s made the diocesan paper very much in line with Church teaching and he regularly gets reports from what some call “church spies” reporting on priests these people say are too liberal. The diocese has a parish serving parishioners who want Mass said in Latin. These are not the actions of a liberal (as defined by conservatives) bishop.

By: Ricky

Ricky — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 13:01:33 +0000

Kicanas served as rector as Mundelien when I attended. Faculty members and seminarians lovingly called him part of the, “Tom and Gerry” show for his role and that of Fr. Hickey, the dean of formation. Kicanas, a Ph.D. in psychology, prided himself with quickly learning names yet he lacked demonstrating ability in surmising the substance of individuals.

Most faculty members and seminarians would consider Kicanas liberal, not moderate or conservative in the least. Upon seminarians entering the seminary, he and Fr. Gus Beluskus would gift each student with subscriptions to, “American Catholic.” Nothing about that magazine seems conservative or moderate in slant. Under the control of Kicanas during the 1990′s, the University of St. Mary of the Lake (Mundelein) Seminary possessed quite the liberal reputation and a provided a haven to homosexual seminarians and priests. Rome heard of the issues regarding homosexuality and later, the Vatican sent inspectors to USML to investigate the situation and inspire change or close it. Consequently, no surprises surfaced when gay groups endorsed Kicanas for president of the USCCB. Based on these past facts, it seems surprising many consider Kicanas conservative or even moderate.

In the process of vetting out seminarians from the priesthood, Kikanas and Hickey told several, “consider our opinions a sign from God you aren’t meant to be a priest.” Quite the lofty opinion they had of themselves. Perhaps Bishop Gerry should consider the vote of the American bishops a sign from God he isn’t meant to lead the American flock. If one doesn’t like that explanation, then consider past skeletons in new form inspiring changes to the right.

By: reneeschaferhorton

reneeschaferhorton — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 01:10:48 +0000

Nicely said, Tanner. Thanks for linking to the document – it will be helpful for those who have forgotten the pastoral nature of the Church’s outreach in re: gay Catholics.

By: reneeschaferhorton

reneeschaferhorton — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 01:09:21 +0000

By saying this, Cate, you are intimating that Bishop Kicanas is not Roman Catholic, when indeed he is. As are all the bishops in teh USCCB. Just because a bishop doesn’t follow a particular bent of particular Catholics does not make him anyless Roman tha the others. I personally think the variety is a sign on the Holy Spirit — trying to keep the extremes in line.

By: Tanner John

Tanner John — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:59:09 +0000

“Can’t be a RC bishop and have a wishy washy persona on sensitive issues”? I am sorry, but that just is not Kicanas regarding homosexuality. I dont know of the context surrounding the support Kicanas received from rainbow sash, however, I do know that in 2008, Kicanas, alongside Bishop Olmstead of Phoenix, vehemently supported prop 102, which constitutionally banned gay marriage in Arizona. They raised nearly 7 million dollars to support the campaign for 102 and spoke out far more than he did regarding sb1070, the Arizona immigration bill. Is this the behavior of a passive lefty? A wishy washy persona? I think not! A lefty, he certainly is not, he is a moderate. The fact that Bishop Kicanas, in spite of his adament support of prop 102, has garnered support of rainbow sash, is a sign of holiness. Let us not forget the Bishops guidelines on ministry to persons with Homosexual orientation, which states
“Essential to the success of ministry to persons with a homosexual inclination will bethe support and leadership of the bishop and other pastoral leaders. A welcoming stance of Christian love by the leadership and the community as a whole is essential for this important work. This is particularly important because more than a few persons with a homosexual inclination feel themselves to be unwelcome and rejected” (http://www.usccb.org/doctrine/Ministry.pdf).
I dont know why Kicanas was not elected, but the libelous proclamation of Kicanas as a liberal or spineless moderate certainly doesnt belong in church politics….its sickening! Lets not make Church politics into the diabolical mess that is American politics.

By: ado1

ado1 — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 19:07:55 +0000

You can’t be a middle of the road moderate on these homosexual issues because the extreme liberals and the extreme moderates will both see you as against their agenda. The good bishop’s failing, IMO, is because he didn’t take a firm or strong position and demonstrate some moral leadership on the issue when he had ample opportunity to do so. As some folks like to say: “Not to decide, is itself a decision.”. A bishop is expected to be a leader and take a strong position of leadership. It appears to me this was his biggest failing. When endorsed by a homosexual activist group such as the Rainbow Sash Movement, he should have taken steps to immediately renounce the endorsement and tell the world he neither asked for the endorsement or desired it.

You just can’t be a RC Bishop and have a wishy-washy persona on sensitive social issues. In the end, every good leader knows sooner or later they will have to offend someone if they are going to lead. You just can’t please everyone… never could, and never will.