Live A Long Life, Cardinal Dolan!

Reports began circulating yesterday that Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, will be stepping down from his post as soon as Pope Leo names his replacement. As required by Church custom, Cardinal Dolan submitted his resignation in February upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 75.

Like him or not, one must admit he has been a man of principle, as he has tried to help steer the Church away from the disgrace of the actions of so many of his fellow clergymen, first as a priest, then as a bishop and finally, as a Cardinal.

 

In addition, he defended the Church's stance in February, 2012, where he criticized the Obama Administration when it required and mandated that Catholic employers offer artificial contraception to female employees contrary to Catholic teachings. After this, and the various lawsuits brought by Catholic organizations, the Obama Administration amended its rule to require insurers, not employers, to require coverage.

In June, 2020, after the shooting of George Floyd and its subsequent aftermath, he attempted to speak to both the protesters and police. Cardinal Dolan argued that police were mostly good people and compared them to priests. He also said that the protesters had an important message. He agreed that while he believed "black lives matter", he stated "all lives matter" and "police lives matter", too.

In June, 2023, Outreach Catholic, an LGBTQ Catholic advocacy group, held a conference at Fordham University. Pope Francis sent his best wishes to the conference attendees. Prior to the event, Dolan sent a letter to Reverend James Martin, the leader of Outreach, stating: "It is the sacred duty of the Church and Her ministers to reach out to those on the periphery and draw them to a closer relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church. Your vital and important ministry is a valuable and necessary contribution to that effort."

And in 2004, then-Bishop Dolan delivered the eighteenth Erasmus Lecture, titled The Bishops in Council, organized by First Things magazine and the Institute on Religion and Public Life. In his address, Dolan reflected on the history and role of episcopal collegiality in the Catholic Church, emphasizing the theological and pastoral importance of bishops working together in service to unity and mission. The lecture examined both the historical roots of church councils and their continuing significance for contemporary Catholic leadership.

All In all, he has been a consistent conservative Prelate, guiding the faithful to keep their faith, while recognizing that the world around them has changed. In keeping with Christ's message, Cardinal Dolan has attempted to lead with mercy and forgiveness, while retaining what he believes are the precepts of the Church.

While the challenges have been difficult, he has mostly succeeded. For that, he can take solace.

God Bless him as he heads to his retirement.