Other Free Encyclopedias :: Brief Biographies :: Hispanic Biographies Vol 1 :: Patrick Flores: 1929—: Roman Catholic Archbishop Biography - Mexican-american Roots, From Bishop To Archbishop, Ministered To The Oppressed, Rewards For Character And Trust In Parishioners

Patrick Flores: 1929—: Roman Catholic Archbishop - Rewards For Character And Trust In Parishioners

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Another test of Flores's commitment occurred in 2001 during a renewed campaign to assure that theology teachers at the seven Catholic institutions of higher learning in his archdiocese remained true to the faith. He proposed a loyalty oath affirming intent to teach authentic Catholic doctrine. Typical of Flores's open-mindedness was his presentation of the controversial document. He asked each teacher to make a formal promise, but declined to expel those who refused to sign the oath. Instead, he predicted to doubters that nearly all staff members would follow church teachings. Rich Heffern, writing for National Catholic Reporter, disclosed the archbishop's logic: "It's simply a profession of faith, and we make a profession of faith every time we say the Creed at Mass."

Describing his archdiocese, Flores told reporters from the San Antonio Express that the city "has the greatest ecumenical spirit I've found anywhere. When I'm with non-Catholic ministers and rabbis, I feel at home with them and they feel at home with me." His numerous outreaches to diverse nationalities and cultures have earned him accolades, in particular for broadcasting Sunday mass from the Cathedral of San Fernando across the Southwest to English- and Spanish-speaking worshippers. In 1995 he won the San Antonio Council of Churches' Distinguished Churchman Award. In addition he received several honorary doctorates and the American Jewish Committee's Human Relations Award. Some church officials have proposed Flores for the position of cardinal, even election to the papacy, a supposition that he humbly disregards as more work than he bargained for.

Sources

Books

The Complete Marquis Who's Who, Marquis Who's Who, 2001.

Dictionary of Hispanic Biography. Detroit: Gale Research, 1996.

McMurtrey, Larry. The Mariachi Bishop: The Life Story of Patrick Flores. San Antonio: Corona Publications, 1987.

Reese, Thomas J. Archbishop: Inside the Power Structure of the American Catholic Church. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1989.

Religious Leaders of America, 2nd ed. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale Group, 1999.


Periodicals

Albuquerque Journal, April 14, 1999.

America, November 4, 1989; July 15, 2000.

Christianity Today, May 19, 1997, p. 51.

Dayton Daily News, June 29, 2000. London Independent, June 29, 2000.

Lutheran, January 1, 2000.

National Catholic Reporter, November 1, 1996; March 2, 2001, p. 9.

New York Times, February 2, 1997.

San Antonio Express, March 25, 2000.

San Antonio Light, October 28, 1992.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 29, 2000.

Zenit, June 29, 2000.


On-line

Catholic Church in North America, http://www.rc.net/org/ccita/bishop/bflores.html

http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/texas_hostage000628.html

Biography Resource Center, Farmington Hills, Mich.: The Gale Group. 2001.

http://www.cnn.com/2000/US/06/28/archbishop.threat.03/, June 28, 2000.

AP Online, June 28, 2000.


—Mary Ellen Snodgrass

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