He’s not looking for your praise

Re “Papal snub makes sense,” column, Sept. 2

Gustavo Arellano looks at the fact that Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez was not named a cardinal by Pope Francis through a superficial, political lens.

Human history and Catholic Church history offer countless examples of people who took courageous, unpopular stands and were not only unappreciated, but also vilified for their integrity. If Arellano is waiting for the archbishop to take to Twitter to complain he’s been slighted, he’ll be waiting for a long time.

Christians know that the only recognition that truly matters comes from God. Gomez faithfully teaches what the church believes. He is knowledgeable, unflappable, forward-looking and selfless.

Of the politicians and other public figures Arellano

celebrates, how many would he claim possess those qualities?

Robert Rakauskas Winnetka

Arellano nailed it with his column on Gomez.

I have followed Gomez since he was elevated to archbishop of Los Angeles, and because we share the same last name. I have been appalled at the results of his “rightist” leadership in a city and state that deserve an inclusive leader, one interested in integration and closer representation of the community being served.

In contrast, I applaud Pope Francis for designating San Diego Bishop Robert W. McElroy a cardinal. He follows Francis’ and the church’s teachings when it comes to “who am I to judge?”

Maria E. Gomez Chula Vista

W. Bush?) should be reminded of and offer consideration to Bush for his 2003 State of the Union directive to Congress to create the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

According to HIV.gov: “Since PEPFAR’s inception in 2003, the U.S. government has invested over $100 billion in the global HIV/AIDS response, saving over 20 million lives, preventing millions of HIV infections, and supporting several countries to achieve HIV epidemic control.”

Ged Kenslea

Los Angeles The writer is senior director of communications for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.