|
|
|
|
Archbishop Dolan Chosen to
Head U.S. Catholic Bishops Part Three of Three By Dave Andrusko The annual meeting this week of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops produced two particularly notable results from a pro-life point of view.
First, outgoing President Cardinal Francis George strongly maintained that developments since the passage of health care reform (dubbed by pro-lifers as ObamaCare) "have settled the empirical issue" that it expands federal funding for elective abortions. "Our analysis of what the law itself says was correct and our moral judgments are secure," he said, adding, "Throughout this public debate, the bishops kept the moral and intellectual integrity of the faith intact." Cardinal George made his remarks Monday in Baltimore in his final address as president. Second, on Tuesday, in what was considered a bit of a surprise, the nation's bishops chose as George's successor Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York, who is warmly regarded by pro-lifers. Since the Bishops' Conference was reorganized in its current form in 1966, the sitting vice-president (in this case Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson) has ascended to lead the conference. However, after the ten candidates were narrowed to two, Archbishop Dolan received 128 votes to 111 for Bishop Kicanas. When Pope Benedict appointed Dolan Archbishop of New York, he was Milwaukee Archbishop. Local pro-lifers were filled with praise for his service. "He quickly established himself as a strong advocate of the sanctity of Life in Milwaukee and Wisconsin," said Barbara Lyons, executive director of Wisconsin Right to Life, in early 2009. Archbishop Dolan had served as a Trustee of Wisconsin Right to Life's mass media program which airs television ads to touch hearts and minds to value human life and to reduce the number of Wisconsin abortions. He had also promoted the program through his appearance as a featured speaker at fundraising events. "Our hearts are saddened by the loss of his tremendous and inspirational leadership in Wisconsin for the cause of life," Lyons said. "We rejoice that he will bring those same dynamic qualities to a national audience. Obviously Milwaukee's loss is New York's gain." Please send your comments on Today's News & Views and National Right to Life News Today to daveandrusko@gmail.com. If you like, join those who are following me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/daveha. |
