Posted on 04/26/2017 2:58:25 PM PDT by NYer
Don’t expect Cardinal Timothy Dolan to deliver any benedictions for the DNC, at least in the near term. The prelate for New York blasted Democrats for imposing a loyalty pledge for Democratic candidates to support abortion, calling it “radical” and “disturbing” in a statement issued today through the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. The former USCCB president called on Democrats to demand a retraction of this position:
“The recent pledge by the Democratic National Committee chair to support only candidates who embrace the radical unrestricted abortion license is very disturbing. The Democratic Party platform already endorses abortion throughout the nine months of pregnancy, even forcing taxpayers to fund it; and now the DNC says that to be a Democrat—indeed to be an American—requires supporting that extreme agenda.
True solidarity with pregnant women and their children transcends all party lines. Abortion doesn’t empower women. Indeed, women deserve better than abortion.
In the name of diversity and inclusion, pro-life and pro-‘choice’ Democrats, alike, should challenge their leadership to recant this intolerant position.”
Dolan chairs the pro-life committee for the USCCB, so any reaction from the conference would either come from him or its current president, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of the Galveston-Houston archdiocese. Dolan has a bigger media presence, both from his previous presidency and because of his assignment to the archdiocese of New York. That platform has allowed Dolan and his sunny, avuncular approach in media to become a household name even apart from the leading role that cardinals from New York play historically. (The new book Sons of St. Patrick provides a very good perspective on that history.)
Dolan’s visibility goes even further into politics, too. As the host of the annual Al Smith Dinner, Dolan reaches across the aisle to bring together both Democrats and Republicans. Both parties have asked Dolan to offer benedictions at their events in order to make connections to Catholic voters, and he has responded in a non-partisan, unifying fashion. As befitting Catholic leaders, Dolan has also offered criticism on a bipartisan basis too, opposing Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act and the HHS contraception mandate, and then opposing Donald Trump’s immigration and refugee policies, too.
That track record has built up Dolan’s moral credibility, which makes this forceful response all the more effective. This will have a big impact on the debate, at least, if not on Catholic voters who feel more comfortable with Democrats on most issues other than abortion — and there are plenty of those. Dolan and the USCCB just let the DNC and other Democrats know that they will not sit on the sidelines of the abortion question, and that if they want to make it a litmus test, Catholic bishops will have no choice but to start looking at it as one, too.
Catholic ping!
“...pro-life ... Democrats should...”
Sigh.
All due respect, Your Eminence, but really?
So perhaps Dolan will now see the light.
So perhaps Dolan will now see the light.
What woke up this fat cat? They took away his Oreos?
The killing of babies is a sacrament in the Democrat religion. All those pussy-hat witches who marched in Washington DC bow at that unholy altar.
But Cardinal, the Pope is a leftist. Are you sure he doesn’t secretly want to support abortion as a means to prevent overpopulation? Save the planet, kill the unborn.
Unfortunately the Cardinal will be back slapping and glad handing these same DNC ghouls tomorrow.
I don’t like this Dolan guy...never did...he’s one of the reasons for Francis the talking poop....he’s a liberal at heart...surprised he didn’t come out and agree with Schumer and Clinton on a lot of things...
I remember when then Candidate Trump roasted him really good that night...and rightfully so...
But.
The 4 pro-lifers who remain in the Democrat Party ought to be pastorally advised to getthehellout.
Isn’t he (at least) a day late and dollar short? This has been the Democrat policy for 30 years, perhaps just not in writing. Perhaps the Cardinal and Nancy Pelosi want to keep the public in the dark about this. I’m glad Perez came out and said it. This public “confession” is long overdue.
The NARAL crowd forced this position on all Dems going back to the mid 80s. I watched one elected D after the other have an epiphany on “a woman’s right to choose.” This is nothing new. About time a Catholic Cardinal woke up. Where the hell has he been for 30+ years ???
No true Catholic can support abortion on demand.
What? Did Dolan actually look down his pants and realize that he had balls? He and so many other bishops have never called out the so-called Catholic politicians for their pro-abortion stance before now.
Gee Cardinal Dolan, this is all well and good that you are finally speaking out about the DNC platform on abortion but what are your going to do about it? If you’re so outraged about it do something like ex-communicating the pro-abortion Catholic legislators, or is this too extreme for you? Yeah, I thought so.
Also you should shut your trap supporting the illegal immigrants and stop ignoring the Muslim problem in this country.
Just wait and see who he glad hands and hear what he has to say at the next Al Smith dinner.
He’s in with the RATS up to his earballs!
Bing for emma bonino pope francis.
Haw! Haw! Haw! Haw! Haw! Haw! Haw! Haw!
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