Archbishop-designate Timothy Dolan knocks on the doors of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York to symbolically ask New York's Roman Catholics to accept him as their new leader before a Solemn Vespers ceremony Tuesday, April 14, 2009.
Posted on 04/15/2009 6:31:17 AM PDT by NYer
NEW YORK – Archbishop-designate Timothy Dolan on Tuesday urged New Yorkers to give up fear and embrace faith in the first of two services installing him as the city's Roman Catholic leader — the most prominent post in the American church.
In his sermon, the former Milwaukee archbishop said Jesus does not force open people's hearts, but waits for them to accept him. He built the homily around a central moment in the ceremony, when he knocked on the doors of St. Patrick's Cathedral before entering.
"That's the ultimate question," Dolan said to the 1,500 well-wishers in the pews. "Will we open up in faith, hope and love to the God who gently knocks on the door of our being, asking Him to live with us? Or will fear, self-absorption, and darkness keep us locked up in ourselves?"
"The church is at her best, faithful to her mission," he said, "when she invites people to open the door and ask Jesus in."
Dolan, 59, succeeds New York Cardinal Edward Egan, 77, who is retiring after nine years.
The New York archdiocese is the nation's second-largest after Los Angeles, yet is the most visible face of American Catholicism, and has been led by prelates who were giants inside and outside the church.
Among them is Cardinal Francis Spellman, who was so influential in New York politics that his residence was dubbed "the powerhouse." Cardinal John O'Connor was the most forceful U.S. Catholic voice in the public debates of his era, especially on abortion.
At the start of Tuesday night's prayer service, Dolan grinned broadly and waved to well-wishers outside the cathedral. The ceremony calls for him to knock on St. Patrick's door nine consecutive times.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
A St. Louis native and the oldest of five children, Dolan is known for putting a friendly face on Catholic orthodoxy. He holds a doctorate from The Catholic University of America and is former rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome, considered the West Point for U.S. priests. He has said that he will challenge the idea that the church is unenlightened because it opposes gay marriage and abortion.
Dolan's first major showdown may come as early as today when Catholic Governor Paterson attends the Installation Mass. Paterson plans to introduce a bill tomorrow to legalize gay marriage. Timing is everything ;-)
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Thank you for posting those headlines! How long before they begin poking fun at him on Page Six.
Prayers for Abp Dolan. We loved him in Milwaukee and will sincerely miss him. I hope the New Yorkers embrace him and listen to his message.
If you are expecting fireworks between him and Gov. Paterson, you will likely be disappointed. Fireworks is not Dolan’s style, but he will speak plainly and he will not back down. But, he will operate with a more diplomatic twist.
i always liked his talks on ewtn.. he recently had a series on saturdays about lent.
The big question is: Will Dolan continue in his current position that Canon 915 is to be ignored, or will he come around to the position that Canon 915 is to be obeyed?
If he continues to hold that Canon 915 is a dead letter, he might as well retire right now.
How long before they begin poking fun at him on Page Six >>
you can bet on that, i wonder how he will react with his catholic governor who is pushing for gay marriage.
I remember John Cardinal O’Connor snubbing Rudy on the steps of St. Patrick and embracing David Dinkins.
We shall see if this new Carinal is about the Church or politics.
Dolan isn’t a Cardinal, yet.
Don't be surprised if the archbishop sends word to the gov's staff telling him not to present himelf for communion at the installation mass today.
Sorry.
I’m not a Catholic. I meant no disrespect.
Saw him several times, including the Stations of the Cross at Holy Hill on Good Friday. (April 10, 2009) Extraordinary Bishop who will do wonders for New York!
I saw just the end of it. Looked like a sizeable crowd!
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