New Cardinal Timothy Dolan dissed by the Empire State Building owners

Owner refuses to light up New York landmark in honor of new prince of the church

Larger Text

Print

E-mail

9 Comments

The Empire State Building

Tweet

The Empire State Building, which has honored everything from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to the 60th anniversary of China's communist takeover, refused to pay tribute to the newly created Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York.

The building's owner Anthony Malkin refused the request by Rep. Michael Grimm (R-S.I.) to honor Dolan, a global ambassador for the city, in lights.

“It’s an insult to Catholics and to the vast majority of New Yorkers who love Cardinal Dolan,” Bill Donohue, head of the Catholic League, told the NY Daily News.

Macklin, whose rep declined comment, refused to honor Mother Teresa in 2010, saying the skyscraper was privately owned and had a policy against "lighting for religious figures."

However, critics pointed out that the 102-story building was lit in the past to honor John Paul II and Cardinal O'Connor.

After the NYC icon's diss, Port Authority officials decided to honor the cardinal at the rising 1 World Trade Center, which began glowing red late Friday. It will continue to honor Dolan until next Friday.

“Cardinal Dolan has captured the hearts of all New Yorkers with his quick wit, street smarts and compassion for those of all religious faiths,” said PA Executive Director Pat Foye, the son of Irish immigrants..

Port Authority officials said that the honorary lights won’t cost the agency a dime.

“Where there is a will there is a way, and One WTC is even more appropriate as a symbol of hope, courage and the bright future of New York, all of which Cardinal Dolan exemplifies,” said Grimm.

The Empire State Building will turn green and blue on Monday for Corporate Philanthropy Day. The following day, the colors will stay lit to mark National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

Print

E-mail

Tweet