Nation
Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, archbishop emeritus of Washington, D.C.: “The announcement of the appointment of Archbishop Dolan as archbishop of New York is great news indeed. The archbishop brings great experience, great love for the church and extraordinary pastoral gifts. He will be loved by his priests and people and I rejoice in his new opportunity to serve in my own native diocese. I am privileged to consider him a dear friend and am pleased that he will be succeeding other great archbishops in that very important post. Cardinal Egan has been one of those great archbishops, and the church of New York owes him an enormous debt of gratitude for his leadership and his careful stewardship of one of America’s premiere sees. May the Lord bless them both in this time of transition.”
Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archdiocese of Philadelphia: “I am filled with great joy upon learning of Archbishop Timothy Dolan’s appointment by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, to shepherd the faithful of the Archdiocese of New York. I offer Archbishop Dolan my warm congratulations and prayerful support and I am certain that the Catholic faithful of New York will grow to know him as an exemplary leader who proclaims the Gospel with an evident love of our Lord Jesus Christ and his church.
“During my tenure as archbishop of St. Louis, I was fortunate to have then-Bishop Dolan as an auxiliary for a short time and to work closely with him on pastoral matters on a daily basis. I know him as a zealous, humble and enthusiastic bishop whose devotion to our faith and ability to communicate the Lord’s teachings to all will serve him very well in New York. As Archbishop Dolan prepares to assume his new responsibilities in the Archdiocese of New York, my prayers are with him.”
Cardinal Francis George, Archdiocese of Chicago: “I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan on his appointment today by Pope Benedict XVI as archbishop of New York. I am grateful that the Holy Father has recognized Archbishop Dolan’s pastoral leadership and dedication to the mission of the Catholic Church. These are qualities that have served the church well in every position of responsibility Archbishop Dolan has held. They are now at the service of the church in New York.
“As archbishop of Chicago, I regret Archbishop Dolan’s leaving our neighboring archdiocese. He goes, however, with our prayers and our promise to continue to work together, especially in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. I join with all Catholics of the Archdiocese of Chicago in praying for God’s blessing on Archbishop Dolan’s ministry in New York.”
Archbishop Edwin O’Brien, Archdiocese of Baltimore: “Our Holy Father’s choice of Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan as the successor to Cardinal Edward Egan is a blessing for the People of God of the Archdiocese of New York. As a long-time friend of Archbishop Dolan, and as a native son of New York and that great archdiocese, I am grateful to God and to our Holy Father for this providential gift.
“Archbishop Dolan’s singular love of the priesthood will find a special welcome among the clergy of New York. His experience as a seminary rector and his record in Milwaukee will, with God’s grace, attract an increase in candidates for the priesthood.
“Above all, his love for the church and, as an accomplished historian, his appreciation for the role of the church of New York in the church universal and in the world, past and present will be greatly appreciated by all the faithful of New York who, we can be sure, will welcome their new archbishop most enthusiastically.”
