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INTERFAITH ADVOCATE. Catholic bishop Oscar A. Solis looks
through the order for mass on the third Sunday of Lent. March 7
marked the first anniversary of his installation as the tenth
bishop of Salt Lake City. (Scott Sommerdorf/The Salt Lake
Tribune via AP)
From The Asian Reporter, V28, #6 (March 19, 2018),
page 7.
Utah Catholic bishop becomes key face in
interfaith scene
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The first Philippine-born Catholic
bishop in the U.S. has developed a partnership with Mormon
leaders and become a key face in Utah’s interfaith scene during
his first year in the role.
Oscar A. Solis was installed as the 10th bishop of the
Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City in March 2017, The Salt
Lake Tribune reported.
Since that time, the 64-year-old has visited the state’s 50
parishes and most of its missions and schools. He has also
conducted hundreds of confirmations and preached countless
sermons.
Solis was ordained as a priest in the Philippines, and he
came to the U.S. some 30 years ago. He worked with parishes in
New Jersey, Louisiana, and California before coming to Utah.
"I came with an open mind and heart," Solis said. "My first
impression was that there is a beautiful community of faith in
Utah, not just Catholics."
Solis has met and worked with leaders of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"I have a high regard for them and the tremendous good they
do for the community," Solis said. "They’ve treated me well."
Solis has encouraged people of his faith to step out of their
comfort zones and strive to help people in need. He has also
commissioned a survey, aiming to better understand how parishes
teach about building faith.
He has taken an advocacy role as well, speaking up on issues
close to his heart and writing opinion pieces for newspapers.
He led a 40-day "dignity of life" initiative, urging
Catholics to pray for an end to abortion and the
"less-than-charitable attitudes emerging in some quarters toward
the poor, the homeless, immigrants, refugees, and the mentally
challenged."
The bishop has also spoken up for the rights of young
immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children.
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