Yet the Bishop of Las Vegas was the celebrant at the inaugural Mass and the retired Bishop of Reno was present.  Sigh

The Las Vegas Sun Reports: Sandoval begins inauguration day at Mass (HT/ Pew Sitter and Catholic Culture):

.Gov.-elect Brian Sandoval and his family began the inaugural day with a special mass at St. Teresa of Avila in Carson City.

Las Vegas Bishop Joseph A. Pepe gave the homily, in which he addressed Sandoval, who will be sworn in as the state’s 30th governor later today.

He urged Sandoval to retain “a closeness to the people we serve. We have to listen and we have to listen carefully.”

This is the first time in recent memory that a governor-elect has begun his day with a religious service.

“The governor takes his faith personally, and it’s important to him,” said Sandoval’s senior adviser, Dale Erquiaga.

Sandoval is to be sworn in later today on the steps of the Capitol Building.

I realize that it difficult to be Bishop. Too often they are criticized by arm chair theologians on the progressive and ultra orthodox side.  Talk about getting hate mail.

But I really do not understand Bishops who confuse their flock by their actions.

Governor Sandoval, according to his website holds several positions which go against the Catholic faith and the stance of the United States Bishop Conference. For example he states that he is:

Pro Choice. While he does not support partial birth abortion, late term abortions, or federal funding for abortions, he still supports Abortion which is an intrinsic evil. A Pro Abortion stance cannot be mitigated.

Pro Death Penalty. The US Bishops and the teaching of the Church believe that the death penalty is justified when there is NO other way to protect society.  In the US it is almost always possible to protect society without resorting to the death penalty.

Oh and Gov. Sandovol is a, drumroll,…..REPUBLICAN.

I told you that I don’t belong to ANY political tribe (post: Political Twist and Shout)

I just don’t get cafeteria Catholics.