Bishop Jaime Soto issued the following statement today upon receiving word from the state Attorney General’s office that the AG will issue a subpoena for additional records in their ongoing review of diocesan compliance with mandatory reporting requirements in cases of suspected child abuse.

“Since May, our diocese, along with five others in California, has been involved in a voluntary effort with the California Attorney General’s office to provide documents related to mandated reporting of child sexual abuse.

Thank you for bringing the love of Christ to our neighbors in need. More than 261,000 people were helped this year by your generous support of the Annual Catholic Appeal.

Every time someone survived a disaster, you made the difference. Every time a family was able to be a family, you made the difference.

Read stories of our Northern California brothers and sisters who were able to overcome difficult challenges. Click here to read the 2019 Report of Gratitude, or see past reports.

If you have not yet made a gift this year, donate online at www.scd.org/donate-aca

The readings for this first Sunday of Advent remind us of the continual challenge and fight of faith that comes before the glory. We hear in the Old Testament that the Lord's house is on the highest mountain above all the hills - a mountain that we must climb in order to get there. Not only do we have to climb to get to the Lord's house, but we also must climb so that we can walk in His paths.

Similarly, we hear in the New Testament reading from Romans that it is time to awake from our sleep, put on the armor of Light that is our Lord Jesus Christ, and commit ourselves entirely to Him, leaving no room for our own desires.

Both of these readings call us to ascend - to arise - to the call we have received. Just as St. Joseph received his call in the depths of his slumber, we, too, are being challenged to arise and enter into battle for the Kingdom.