Archbishop Accused of DUI
By: Cheryl Hurd, KNTV
Updated: August 28, 2012
The Roman Catholic archbishop-elect of San Francisco has been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Reverand Salvatore Cordileone was arrested early Saturday morning at a DUI checkpoint in San Diego.
His elderly mother was in the car with him at the time and drove herself home after the arrest.
Cordileone was booked into San Diego County Jail and later released on bail.
Father Jay Matthews, an outspoken pastor at St. Benedict Parish in Oakland, says he's worked closely with former Bishop Salvadore Cordileone for the past three years.
He says the soon to be archbishop of San Francisco needs support during this tough time.
"This is a moment of understanding and a moment of compassion and they would certainly give the archbishop the benefit of the doubt, Matthews said."
The Archbishop released the following statement Monday afternoon:
"While visiting in San Diego this past weekend, I had dinner at the home of some friends along with a priest friend visiting from outside the country and my mother, who lives near San Diego State University. While driving my mother home, I passed through a DUI checkpoint the police had set up near the SDSU campus before I reached her home, and was found to be over the California legal blood alcohol level.
I apologize for my error in judgment and feel shame for the disgrace I have brought upon the Church and myself. I will repay my debt to society and I ask forgiveness from my family and my friends and co-workers at the Diocese of Oakland and the Archdiocese of San Francisco. I pray that God, in His inscrutable wisdom, will bring some good out of this."
In July, Pope Benedict XVI selected the Cordileone to replace Archbishop George Niederauer, who is retiring in October.
Cordileone was most recently bishop of Oakland and several years ago was an auxiliary bishop in San Diego.
He is a vigorous supporter of California's same-sex marriage ban.
Reverand Salvatore Cordileone was arrested early Saturday morning at a DUI checkpoint in San Diego.
His elderly mother was in the car with him at the time and drove herself home after the arrest.
Cordileone was booked into San Diego County Jail and later released on bail.
Father Jay Matthews, an outspoken pastor at St. Benedict Parish in Oakland, says he's worked closely with former Bishop Salvadore Cordileone for the past three years.
He says the soon to be archbishop of San Francisco needs support during this tough time.
"This is a moment of understanding and a moment of compassion and they would certainly give the archbishop the benefit of the doubt, Matthews said."
The Archbishop released the following statement Monday afternoon:
"While visiting in San Diego this past weekend, I had dinner at the home of some friends along with a priest friend visiting from outside the country and my mother, who lives near San Diego State University. While driving my mother home, I passed through a DUI checkpoint the police had set up near the SDSU campus before I reached her home, and was found to be over the California legal blood alcohol level.
I apologize for my error in judgment and feel shame for the disgrace I have brought upon the Church and myself. I will repay my debt to society and I ask forgiveness from my family and my friends and co-workers at the Diocese of Oakland and the Archdiocese of San Francisco. I pray that God, in His inscrutable wisdom, will bring some good out of this."
In July, Pope Benedict XVI selected the Cordileone to replace Archbishop George Niederauer, who is retiring in October.
Cordileone was most recently bishop of Oakland and several years ago was an auxiliary bishop in San Diego.
He is a vigorous supporter of California's same-sex marriage ban.
