On Friday, Salvatore Cordileone became the new archbishop in San Francisco.

Pope Benedict over-rode the usual process of appointment and hand picked Cordileone to the post for the San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin region.  Cordileone had been stationed across the bay from San Francisco in Oakland, California.

Cordileone has been known as a leader in creating the campaign to pass Proposition 8 on a recent California ballot.  He made no qualms about his views Friday… “”We need to do whatever we can to strengthen marriage, understanding that it is a benefit for everyone in society.”

The current Archbishop, George Niederauer has been experiencing cardiac related issues and has undergone a double bypass heart operation recently.  He therefore will be stepping down in retirement.

See San Francisco Archbishop Niederauer retires; Bishop Cordileone to succeed him | abc7news.com.