By Hunter Walker 3/13 5:25pm

Pope Star

Cardinal Timothy Dolan (Photo: Getty)

Cardinal Dolan Calls Selection of Pope Francis I a ‘Milestone’ for the Catholic Church

Though he was a longshot, many locals were hoping Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who serves as the Catholic Church’s Archbishop of New York, would be selected pope to replace Benedict XVI, who abruptly abdicated last month. However, when the white smoke cleared over the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican announced Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected to lead the Church, becoming the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to hold the position. In his capacity as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Dolan released a statement reacting to the selection of Cardinal Bergoglio, who will now be known as Pope Francis I.

“The election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who has taken the name Francis I, marks a great milestone in our church,” said Mr. Dolan. “As successor to Peter, our first pope, Pope Francis I stands as the figure of unity for all Catholics wherever they reside. The bishops of the United States and the people of our 195 dioceses offer prayers for our new leader and promise allegiance to him.” Read More

By David Freedlander 5/25/12 1:21pm

Senate

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Turner Sides Up To Cardinal Dolan, Hits Obama On ‘Religious Liberty’

Congressman and U.S. Senate candidate Bob Turner ventured up to Buffalo today to knock the Obama administration over a mandate that requires religious institutions to provide insurance for birth control.

The mandate is the subject of a lawsuit by Cardinal Timothy Dolan and the Buffalo Diocese.

“As we are about to celebrate Memorial Day and honor the service men and women who have fought to protect our freedoms, New Yorkers should rally behind the more than 40 religious organizations across the country who have been forced to sue the Obama Administration over infringement of their First Amendment rights,” said Mr. Turner.  ”President Obama has made a reckless and unconstitutional expansion of the federal government the primary focus of his administration and this latest threat to religious liberty is yet another example. Trampling over the First Amendment is a bridge too far and Mr. Obama will have to account for his actions with the millions of voters who support a fundamental American right of freedom of religion.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 3/12/12 2:56pm

vatican plan

red world trade center

Cuomo Announces ‘Timothy Cardinal Dolan Week’

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced “Timothy Cardinal Dolan Week” in a statement this afternoon, additionally proclaiming One World Trade Center had agreed to turn its lights red in honor of the latest holy New Yorker to rise into the Vatican ranks.

Congressman Michael Grimm had previously petitioned One World Trade Center to do the exact same thing for Cardinal Dolan for a week at the end of February, an idea so nice that apparently it’s happening twice. Read More

By Colin Campbell 2/24/12 2:08pm

going elsewhere

(Photo: Getty)

Michael Grimm Gets A Different Building to Turn Red for Cardinal Dolan

Screw you Empire State Building!

After unsuccessfully trying to get the Empire State Building to glow red for the rest of the week in honor of Cardinal Dolan’s elevation in the Catholic Church, Staten Island Congressman pitched his case to at least one other building, and succeeded.

Port Authority’s Executive Director Patrick Foye agreed to light One World Trade Center in red for the next seven nights, and Mr. Grimm, who said in the statement that “giving up is not in my DNA,” couldn’t be more happy. Read More