SNAP Concerned about Dolan's Role As Cardinal

By Keller Russell
Tmj 4
January 6, 2012

www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/136853978.html

[with video]

MILWAUKEE - Tim Dolan led milwaukee's archdioceses here for seven years.

Some consider Archbishop Dolan the face of the Catholic church in the United States.

But at least one group calls his elevation to cardinal, a cause of concern.

It's a calling from the Vatican that will earn former Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy Dolan a red hat as a cardinal for the Catholic church.

"It's almost as though the Pope is putting the red hat and cardinal on top of the Empire State Building," Archbishop Dolan said at a news conference in New York Friday morning.

Dolan calls his naming to the college of cardinals an honor.

And it's one many within the catholic church, and here in Milwaukee, expected.

"I'm not surprised. New york is a cardinalacious sea," said Jerome Listecki, Archbishop of Milwaukee Archdioceses. "It's prominence in the United States is certainly recognized by the Vatican immediately with a position of a cardinal."

Archbishop Listecki also acknowledged what the honor behind the elevation.

Cardinals under the age of 80 have a vote on Pope Benedict XVI's successor.

"When you're thinking about a vote, that's one vote representing over a billion Catholics throughout the world to vote for the next leader of the church," said Listecki.

But John Pilmaier with the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests is critical of Dolan's elevation to such a prominent position.

"Our concern is Archbishop Dolan left milwaukee on the verge of bankruptcy and that bankruptcy was caused by the continued cover up of child sex crimes," said Pilmaier.

Pilmaier maintains the former Milwaukee Archbishop lacked transparency he promised during his time as head of Milwaukee's archdioceses.

But Pilmaier's hopeful Dolan will bring a different perspective as a cardinal.

"We really hope he uses his role there to change course and push for more openness and honesty about this scandal."