United States: the Archbishop of Los Angeles Msgr. Jose H. Gomez is the new president of the Bishops' Conference

(from Baltimore) The Archbishop of Los Angeles, Msgr. Jose H. Gomez, is the new president of the Bishops' Conference of the United States. This morning the American bishops elected him with 176 votes in favor. A broad consensus, since 120 preferences were needed to obtain the majority. It will be the first Latin president to lead the US bishops, the first bishop linked to Opus Dei. The election of Msgr. Gomez is a clear sign of a Church that wants to go beyond the walls designed by the government because the archbishop of Los Angeles was born in Mexico and his diocese has the largest number of Catholics from Latin America. A bridge therefore not only between the different Catholic souls of the Country but also among the different souls of the Bishops' Conference. Though considered a conservative from a theological point of view, many recognize him as a great bridge builder even among the different factions in the body of bishops and an authoritative guide in taking the American Church in the direction indicated by Pope Francis. Archbishop Gomez was very explicit in condemning the migration policies of the US presidency and openly stood up for the defense of migrants and refugees, in particular children separated from families on the border. The new president was delegate to the Synod on the family and the one on young people. Although the diocese of Los Angeles was the seat of cardinal under John Paul II, neither Benedict nor Francis chose to give continuity to the tradition.
Vice-president of the Bishops' Conference was elected Msgr. Allen H. Vigneron, archbishop of Detroit.