New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan has accepted an invitation from the Democratic National Committee to deliver a closing prayer at their convention next week, making the Cardinal one of the few Catholic prelates in history to pray over both Conventions.
According to the Catholic News Herald of the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, where the Democratic National Convention will be held, Cardinal Dolan will deliver the closing benediction for the Democrats just as he will do for the Republicans at their convention which concludes tomorrow.
According to a statement from Archdiocese of New York spokesman Joseph Zwilling, the cardinal is appearing at these conventions only as a pastor and to pray, and is not not endorsing either party or candidate.
There was some question as to whether or not the Democratic party would invite Cardinal Dolan to say the benediction at their event because of the Cardinal’s outspoken opposition to many Obama Administration policies, particularly to his stance on abortion, same-sex marriage, and the controversial birth control mandate which Catholics believe infringes on religious liberty.
However, Cardinal Dolan made it clear at the time that he accepted an invitation from the Republicans to pray at the convention that he would do the same for the Democrats if asked.
Even though the tradition of praying at the opening and closing of each day’s session at national conventions is a tradition that dates back more than 100 years, Dolan’s appearance at both events makes him one of the few Catholic prelates to pray over both parties at their nominating conventions. The last time this took place was in 1948 when Cardinal Dennis J. Dougherty of Philadelphia prayed over both conventions when both parties chose the City of Brotherly Love for their convention sites.
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With all due respect, Cardinal Dolan can’t be so naive as to not suspect he’s being used as a pawn by perhaps both parties because they know what’s at stack. For him to explain his actions through a spokesman as he did here makes me wonder if we aren’t being played too. He must know many Catholics will be watching and will not have read his explanation and therefore glean otherwise by his appearance. This event coupled with the fundraising gala in NYC a few weeks prior to the election may be just enough to confuse the voter with tragic results. Cardinal Dolan needs our prayers as his recent actions seem to be ill thought out.
I have followed Cardinal Dolan for quite long time and I believe that he is just the kind of priest that our country needs today. For my part, it is worth the risk that people may not understand that he is not taking sides and that he is visiting both political conventions to pray with the attendees.
Jesus was criticized for sitting down with tax collectors. He was chided for his kindness to all women, even some who were not known for their holiness. He accepted everyone and I applaud Cardinal Dolan for treating everyone like Jesus did.