By Annysa Johnson
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
February 23, 2009
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/40080552.html
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New Yorkers got their first real glimpse of their future archbishop, and likely cardinal, this morning at a news conference, where Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan said he would continue his predecessor's emphasis on Catholic schools, engage in ecumenical dialogue with the city's diverse religious community and shift his baseball allegiance to the Yankees.
"You've already made me feel at home in New York," Dolan said. "I'm so honored and humble and happy to be serving as your pastor."
Of his current post, he said: "It's going to be very tough to leave you, dear Milwaukee."
The news conference was one of several stops for Dolan, who celebrated Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral with Cardinal Edward M. Egan this morning. Later he is expected to stop at the United Nations and Ground Zero.
During a question-and answer-session that lasted more than 40 minutes, Dolan displayed the gregarious and engaging personality that has endeared him to many Catholics in the Milwaukee area since he came here in 2002.
Asked who his personal heroes are, Dolan mentioned the late Pope John Paul II, whom he watched from "a 50-yard-line seat" while working in Rome; his father who died in 1977 at the age of 51; and his mother and grandparents.
Dolan gave a nod to New York's diverse religious communities, particularly Jews, saying his work with the U.S. Catholic Conference's Catholic-Jewish Dialogue has been some of his most rewarding.
Dolan said Milwaukee's relatively large Latino community has given him an education in working with diverse groups that he will use in New York. Since arriving in Milwaukee, he has learned to deliver a basic homily in Spanish, he said. He also has learned he needs to push back against those who might consider outreach to diverse communities as a problem for the church. Dolan said he sees such outreach as a blessing and an opportunity.
He sidestepped a question on possible legislation in New York that would make it easier for clergy sex abuse victims to file civil lawsuits against the church, saying he had not adequately studied it yet.
"And I don't want to put my foot in my mouth this early."
On New York, he said, he was happy to know there was a hotdog cart stationed outside his offices and that he would now become a Yankees fan.
"You did not say that," Egan laughed, after which Dolan later tipped his hat to the Mets.
He also said he and other Milwaukeeans were disappointed when Milwaukee Brewers pitcher CC Sabathia signed with the New York Yankees last fall. "Now, well here I am, CC."
Dolan, who is scheduled to return to Milwaukee tonight, is expected to celebrate one last Easter as the pastoral shepherd of Catholics in Milwaukee.
Auxiliary Bishop William P. Callahan said this morning that Dolan would assume the New York post on April 15. Until then, he said, Dolan would remain the administrator of the Milwaukee archdiocese and would shuttle back and forth.
Callahan called Dolan's appointment, to succeed Egan, a bittersweet moment for himself and Milwaukee Catholics.
"I've been so fond of Archbishop Dolan. I've definitely been mentored by him and enjoyed his friendship and camaraderie," said Callahan.
"But we understand the importance of this position and this opportunity for the church. Archbishop Dolan will represent the church and this country well in the bully pulpit of New York."
Callahan would not suggest a likely successor but said he expects Pope Benedict XVI to appoint someone with an understanding of Milwaukee's culture and history who would continue the work and direction of Dolan.
After Dolan leaves for New York, an interim administrator would be appointed, either by the local advisory panel known as the College of Consultors or by the papal nuncio, the Vatican's ambassador in Washington, according to Callahan. That administrator is likely to be Callahan or senior Auxiliary Bishop Richard J. Sklba.
Neither is likely to be named archbishop permanently, he said, Sklba because he is too close to retirement and Callahan because the church rarely elevates a bishop within his own archdiocese.
Callahan said he would hope a successor could be named within six to eight months, but that it's been known to take longer.
"There are some that have been without a bishop for over a year," he said.
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