Cardinal Dolan Says Appearance at Republican National Convention Isn't Political

NY Magazine ^ | 08.22.12 | Margaret Hartmann

[Coleus]

Cardinal Dolan Says Appearance at Republican National Convention Isn't Political

 

In an interview with the Roman Catholic broadcaster EWTN, Mitt Romney revealed today that Cardinal Timothy Dolan will deliver the closing prayer after he accepts the Republican nomination next week in Tampa. Though it's hard to imagine a more political event, Dolan wants to make it clear that this isn't a partisan move and doesn't mean he's endorsing Romney for president. In fact, he'd be willing to give the benediction at the Democratic National Convention as well, though that would be kind of awkward since his archdiocese is currently suing President Obama over his birth control mandate.

Joseph Zwilling, spokesman for the Archdiocese of New York, told the New York Times that Cardinal Dolan agreed to participate “within the last two weeks." He added:

“Cardinal Dolan is going to pray, not to engage in partisan politics. He made it clear when he accepted the invitation that he would also accept an invitation from the Democratic National Committee to offer a prayer at their convention, should they ask ... He is going simply to pray, which is part of what a priest should do.”

Dolan was one of the leaders of Catholic effort to block President Obama's mandate that religious organizations must include coverage for birth control and emergency contraception in their employees' health insurance. Religious leaders weren't satisfied with Obama's compromise, which involved insurance companies covering the cost of birth control for organizations that object on religious grounds. In May, 43 Catholic groups across the country filed lawsuits against the Obama administration, charging that the mandate violates their religious freedom.

Romney actually revealed that Dolan will be appearing at the convention in a response to a question about Catholic bishops' opposition to Obama's health care plan. Romney said he plans to "continue to meet with Cardinal Dolan, and wants to make it "very clear that the interest of religious freedom is something I support wholeheartedly.” It's more common for the local bishop to give the blessing at the convention, but Dolan's leadership on the health care issue isn't the only possible reason that the Romney campaign tapped him instead. When Cardinal Dolan served as the archbishop of Milwaukee from 2002 to 2009 he became close with a certain Catholic representative from Wisconsin, who'll also be accepting his party's nomination next week.

[Coleus]

Hopefully, most American Catholics will get the message, loud and clear. >>>

I hope so and I hope he references the pro-life issue.

[BlackElk]

Allendale:

If, as noted above by Dr. Sivana and Campaign Pete R-CT and later by Tennessee Nana, Timothy Cardinal Dolan will be accepting the Republican POTUS nomination, then God has truly intervened to save us from the worst mistake made since the nominations of Herbert Hoover. If true, perhaps, the Demonrats may be influenced by God as well and dump their presumptive nominee in favor of Timothy Cardinal Dolan. If not:

Both Obozo and Mittler are fond of persecuting the Roman Catholic Church and all other pro-life churches. There is no reason for Timothy Cardinal Dolan to endorse either.

Timothy Cardinal Dolan may feel free to use the following blessing, if the Democrats invite him and no attribution or royalty need be offered (my gift to my Church of which I am merely an unworthy member):

"Oh, God, bless the Democratic Party by guiding it to a full return to genuine pro-life principles protecting innocent human life, and to its prior historic commitment to normal marriage between one man and one woman for life and to understand and abide by God's commandment to not commit adultery, and to a firm respect for religious liberty as guaranteed in the First Amendment to our Constitution, and to a full commitment to the individual right to keep and bear arms as guaranteed by the Second Amendment and which characterized Christian Crusaders in earlier centuries, and to an understanding of the primacy of the family as THE basic institution of human society in the terms laid down by Pope Leo XIII of happy memory in his encyclical Rerum Novarum, and may God inspire even those in our nation's highest offices to know Him, love Him and serve Him in this world and be happy with Him forever in the next, especially in those cases in which the officeholders, by their prior lives have expressed contempt for Him and for His commandments throughout their lives to date. We ask this in Jesus's name. Amen."

Substitute "Republican" for Democrat for delivery at the GOP Convention. Totally even-handed and not seen as an endorsement of either party or candidate in this God-forsaken year of 2012. If either party or candidate feels the lash from such a blessing, let it or he examine their or his conscience (if any).

[nicmarlo]

As do I. Amen!

[Coleus]

Cardinal Dolan will be praying at the REPUBLICAN convention in TAMPA, Florida, that’s if the hurricane prevents him from going. He is NOT speaking at the Democrat convention.

[Coleus]

I’m wondering who the dope is responsible for having the convention in FL in the height of the hurricane season, about the same time Andrew devastated FL. Out of all the 50 states from which to choose, they choose FL?