Posted on 08/23/2012 5:27:54 AM PDT by NYer
.- Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, head of the U.S. Catholic bishops' conference, has been invited to offer the final benediction at the upcoming Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla.
The news was announced by presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney in an exclusive interview with Raymond Arroyo, host of EWTN's news program The World Over.
Cardinal Dolan will give the concluding benediction prayer on August 30, the final night of the GOP convention, where Mitt Romney is slated to accept the presidential nomination for his party.
The cardinal has not endorsed either candidate in the 2012 presidential race.
However, he has been an outspoken critic of a mandate issued by the Obama administration to require employers to offer health insurance plans that covers contraception, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs, even if doing so violates their consciences.
Numerous dioceses, non-profit organization and Catholic-owned businesses have sued the administration, arguing that the mandate violates the First Amendment by forcing them to compromise their deeply held religious convictions.
Obama has also voiced support for abortion and is the first U.S. president to openly advocate a redefinition of marriage to include homosexual couples.
Arroyo explained that during the interview, Romney “breaks news about what we can expect at the Republican National Convention and reacts to charges by President Obama that he chose Paul Ryan as his running mate to lower his personal tax burden.”
“He also talks about the hot issue of religious liberty, the role of prayer in his life, and how being a bishop in the Mormon Church prepared him for the presidency,” he said.
The interview with Romney will air on EWTN at 8 p.m. EDT on Aug. 23.
Ping!
Ping! Thought you might want to ping some of the Freeper Catholics. This is great news. I really like this man!
Very interesting all around....
(Dear Lord, please bless, protect and guide this man.)
I like that he has stood up to the Obama administration on traditional marriage and freedom of religion.
What do you propose?
Well this goes a long way towards making up for the Al Smith Dinner-Obama fiasco in Oct. Hopefully he poses between Romney and Ryan in a group hug picture.
Excellent! The Church hierarchy may not want to come right out and give an endorsement of Mitt Romney. But to legions of Catholic voters, this is an endorsement of Mitt Romney.
**The cardinal has not endorsed either candidate in the 2012 presidential race.**
Catholic priests (including Cardinals) cannot endorse a candidate. They can speak to issues, but not name candidate’s names.
I forgot to add that the tax status for any minister, priest, preacher or church who endorses a candidate will be challenged.
Timothy, get your game face on.
What has your church done?
I can only speak for my Diocese but there was a message from our Bishop that was read in each Parish about the attack on our Religious Liberty contained in the HHS mandate. There’s also a statement on the USCCB’s website about this.
That the Catholic Church doesn't recognize that war has been declared against it is stupefying.
The Church is well aware this is a frontal attack. Lawsuits have already been filed to stop the HHS mandate. I’m surprised you think the Church is asleep at the wheel. Are you Catholic?
Cardinal Dolan is too cute for his own good.He has just said he would gladly speak at the Democratic Con vention also.The Democrats have a pro-abortion platform.Cardinal Dolan appears to be interested only in Cardinal Dolan.Along the way he has conned many Catholic and non-Catholics.We pro-lifers in New York long for the days of the humble,unselfish,corageous and pro-life Cardinal O’Connor.
We don't need social justice types leading the church. I haven't heard that Dolan believes in true fiscal freedom.
The Repubs. have Dolan, maybe the Democrats can get Joel Osteen.
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