EDITORIAL

Phoenix’s first auxiliary bishop aims to be a ‘bridge builder’

The Catholic Sun | May 20, 2010

Arizona’s controversial new immigration law has many people feeling frightened, angry, confused and resentful. Amid this time of panic, fear and bad press for Arizona comes a reason to rejoice in the Lord’s goodness: the announcement that Eduardo Alanis Nevares has been appointed as auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix.

As auxiliary bishop, Bishop-elect Nevares will assist Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted in his responsibilities of teaching, sanctifying and governing the Catholic faithful of this diverse, 764,000-strong diocese.

Bishop-elect Nevares, whose parents and siblings emigrated from Mexico in the early 1950s, was born in San Antonio shortly thereafter.

Much of the buzz around town last week surrounded his Hispanic heritage and the implications for Arizona’s new immigration law.

Having been raised in a bilingual, bicultural environment — as well as having ministered for 25 years throughout the diverse communities making up the Diocese of Tyler in Texas — we’re confident that our community will find a compassionate friend and leader in this self-described “bridge person.”

“I am very aware of the special needs of the immigrant, as well as the concerns of the local Christian communities,” Bishop-elect Nevares said during a May 11 press conference. “Even though I understand some of the tensions, misunderstandings and difficulties that can arise at times, I am very much convinced that the light and truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the way to reconcile our differences with mutual respect for the dignity of every human person.”

The new auxiliary bishop added, “You know, just below the skin, we are all exactly the same!”

In the context of the immigration law uproar, the timing of this announcement is indeed providential. Bishop Olmsted had requested the assistance of an auxiliary bishop two years ago while leading the dioceses of Gallup and Phoenix.

For years Bishop Olmsted has been an outspoken advocate for comprehensive immigration reform, especially calling on Catholics and policy makers to respect the dignity of the human person, including the immigrant. In recent weeks and months, the bishop also took on SB 1070, the controversial immigration bill signed into law last month.

He came out against the bill in March alongside Tucson Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas and Gallup Bishop James S. Wall. The work done by the Arizona Catholic Conference, which the three Arizona bishops are part of, helped make a major difference in some of the more problematic components of SB 1070.

Last month, Bishop Olmsted was the mover behind an ecumenical letter to Gov. Jan Brewer, asking her to veto the pending legislation. Eleven other religious leaders, in addition to the bishop, signed the letter.

And in this issue of The Catholic Sun, he devotes his column space to the emotionally charged debate. (His reflection, “Remaining one in Christ: The Challenge of SB 1070,” was first published May 6 at www.catholicsun.org and www.diocesephoenix.org.)

Still, there is always more work to do for a bishop in a diocese centered in the fifth-largest city in the United States — regarding the immigration issue and so much more — which is why we express our gratefulness to the Holy Father for our new auxiliary bishop.

During his brief time here in Phoenix for the May 11 announcement, Bishop-elect Nevares demonstrated his holiness, his humility and his compassion. He is a man of deep faith who also has a tremendous sense of humor.

All Catholics of good will, regardless of their heritage, will find in Bishop-elect Nevares a sincerity and eagerness to bridge the divide on the immigration issue and everything else that comes his way.

On behalf of the entire Diocese of Phoenix, we welcome Bishop-elect Nevares with gladness for his service to the Lord.

¡Mucho gusto!