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L.A. Bishop Resigns, Admits Having Secret Family

The Rev. Msgr. James Loughnane of St. Denis Catholic Church in Diamond Bar will temporarily fill the position, overseeing 66 parishes in the San Gabriel Valley.

A Los Angeles bishop resigned his post with the Catholic Church after admitting he had fathered two teenage sons, the archdiocese confirmed today.

The Rev. Msgr. James Loughnane of St. Denis Catholic Church in Diamond Bar was appointed by Archbishop Jose Gomez to temporarily fill Zavala's post, which oversees 66 parishes, Archdiocese spokesman Tod Tamberg said.

Bishop Gabino Zavala, 60, an auxiliary bishop for the San Gabriel Pastoral Region, submitted his resignation to the pope in Rome, who accepted Zavala's resignation Wednesday.

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Gomez announced the news Tuesday in a letter to members of the archdiocese, the largest in the United States.

“I have some sad and difficult information to share with you,” Gomez wrote.

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Gomez said Zavala's sons had been living with their mother in another state.

“The archdiocese has reached out to the mother and children to provide spiritual care as well as funding to assist the children with college costs,” Gomez said. 

He urged respect for the family's privacy.

Zavala, who grew up in Los Angeles, was beloved by many in the diocese who considered him a friend, Tamberg said.

"It's sad, unexpected and disorienting news for many who know him well and respect him," Tamberg said.

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