St. Joachim parishioners stage protest of pastor...

St. Joachim parishioners stage protest of pastor

Holding signs in English and Spanish, more than 80 people stood

outside of St. Joachim Catholic Church on Sunday to protest the

pastor, Rev. Joseph R. Robillard, and his handling of Latinos within

the church community.

Organizers of the protest of the Costa Mesa church claim that in

the past Robillard has referred to the Latino community as “pigs” in

Spanish and, two weeks ago, fired four employees of the Vida

Familiar, the Family Life group run by the parish, for what they

perceive as no real reason. They also complained of his unwillingness

to meet with those in the Spanish-speaking community.

Lucidia Rosales and others who organized the event said that

Latinos are mistreated during sacraments, confessions and other

Catholic rites. She said that many people in the parish have tried to

meet with Robillard to no avail.

Telephone calls to Robillard were not returned.

Schwarzenegger receives endorsement

California recall candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger made a campaign

stop in Costa Mesa on Sunday and received the endorsement of the

California State Firefighters Assn.

Schwarzenegger received the association’s endorsement at its 81st

annual conference at the Hilton Costa Mesa.

After receiving the endorsement, he thanked the group’s members

for being vital parts of California’s public service force.

“You are the everyday heroes. You are the ones that are fighting

the fires in our homes and our communities, and you do an incredible

job,” Schwarzenegger said. “You risk your lives all the time.

Everyone in California owes you a debt of gratitude for the work that

you do.”

In endorsing the candidate, Assn. President Jeff Sedivec said that

the association picked the candidate because he “will stand up for

California and lead us through these difficult times. More

importantly, he believes in us.”

The association endorsed Gray Davis in the 1998 and the 2002

elections for governor.