By John Doyle
New York Post
February 23, 2009
http://www.nypost.com/seven/02232009/news/regionalnews/new_archbishop_attends_st_patricks_mass_156583.htm
 |
| Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, left, and Cardinal Edward Egan celebrate mass. |
The former monsignor named to head the New York Archdiocese may have just gotten to the Big Apple - but he's already tackling the tough issues.
For starters, the affable Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy Dolan noted that he has a desire to visit the new Yankee Stadium this spring and that there's a hot dog cart outside St. Patrick's Cathedral.
Asked which was his favorite sports team, Dolan diplomatically said he's also fond of the Mets.
When asked about his heroes, Dolan's answer was less diplomatic.
"Jesus Christ," he said.
Then he got down to business.
"The thing I'm good at is preaching about Jesus Christ, and preaching the Gospel," Dolan said today during a news conference.
Dolan, 59, was named by Pope Benedict XVI to replace Edward Cardinal Egan, who is retiring after nine years.
Dolan will be formally installed on April 15.
Earlier in the day, Egan welcomed his successor to St. Patrick's - calling Dolan a man who will lead New Yorkers in their quest for "justice, compassion and peace."
"I've known [Dolan] for many years - and I told him how delighted I am to welcome this new priest and bishop," Egan told a sparse crowd of about 100 people following 8 a.m. mass.
A native of St. Louis, Dolan is the oldest of five children. His seminary education began at the high school level at St. Louis Preparatory Seminary South in Shrewsbury, Pa., and continued at Cardinal Glennon College in St. Louis, where he earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy
He did his theological studies at the North American College and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome and was ordained a priest of the St. Louis Archdiocese in 1976.
Meanwhile, Egan - who previously served as bishop of nearby Bridgeport for 12 years before Pope John Paul II appointed him to lead the New York Archdiocese in 2000 - got a standing ovation at the end of his speech.
Egan is 76, one year past the normal retirement age for archbishops, although many have been allowed to stay on well beyond that age in the past.
"Cardinal Egan has served both Catholics and all New Yorkers very well and leaves a strong and thoughtful legacy," said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY). His work with parishes, health care and the church's extensive charity network won't soon be forgotten. We welcome Archbishop Dolan enthusiastically, and look forward to working with him."
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.