Clarence Silva was born on August 6, 1949, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Richard and Catherine Alves Silva at Saint Francis Hospital in Liliha. Clarence Silva is the great-grandson of Azorean immigrants to the United States.[2]
Silva was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Oakland on May 2, 1975, by Bishop Floyd Begin at the Cathedral of Saint Francis de Sales in Oakland.[1] Silva spent the summer of 1975 studying Spanish in Cuernavaca, Mexico. After returning from Mexico, the diocese assigned Silva as associate pastor in the following California parishes:
Saint Bernard in Oakland (1975 to 1978). During the summer of 1978, he returned to Cuernavaca for more instruction in Spanish.
Our Lady of the Rosary in Union City (1978 to 1979). During this period, he also served as vocations director for the diocese.
Silva was named pastor of Saint Peter Martyr Parish in Pittsburg, California, in 1984. Two years later, he was transferred to Saint Anthony Parish in Oakland to serve as pastor there.[2] During a three-month sabbatical leave in 1991, Silva studied at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. After returning to Oakland, Silva had more pastoral assignments:
Saint John the Baptist in El Cerrito (1991 to 1994)
Saint Andrew and Saint Joseph in Oakland (1994 to 1999)
Saint Leonard and Saint Paula in Fremont (2000 to 2003)[2]
This is a representation of the coat of arms of Clarence Richard Silva, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu.
Pope Benedict XVI appointed Silva on May 17, 2005, as bishop of Honolulu. Silva was consecrated on July 21, 2005, at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu by Archbishop William Levada. The co-consecrators were Vigneron and Bishop John Cummins.[1] Silva's episcopal motto is "Witness to Jesus".[2]
Silva was a principal promoter for the causes of sainthood for Father Damien and Sister Marianne Cope, both of whom cared for leprosy patients on the island of Molokai. Silva traveled to Kalaupapa on Molokai on May 19, 2005, to pay homage to Damien and Cope. Cope had been beatified by Benedict XVI earlier that week.[3]
In April 2020, Silva announced during a Sunday mass that the diocese was paying millions to settle prior sex abuse cases. Silva also acknowledged that the diocese was still facing a large of number of sex abuse lawsuits.[4]
"...gained the respect and admiration of the High Chiefs, Chief, Officers, Mamo Hawaii and Na Wahine Hui o Kamehameha I for his ecumenical spirit of aloha, kindness sensitivity to our island ways and for his love of the Hawaiian culture and all the cultures for people from around the world who call Hawaii home."[5]
Coat of arms
Silva's episcopal coat-of-arms was designed by Reverend Quang Dong and Thanh Dong. Silva means "forest" in Portuguese. for that reason the coat of arms contain three trees."
the kukui tree (Aleurites mollucana) on the right symbolizes Hawaii. It yields an oil with healing properties that also provides light
the oak trees (Quercus alba) on the left symbolize Oakland (Quercopolitana) where Silva grew up and served as a priest
the cross in the center, known as the tree of life, has olive leaves symbolizing Malia O Ka Malu (Mary, Queen of Peace), patroness of the diocese.[6]
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