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Home Page > Blogs > News blogs > Periscope > Cardinal Timothy Dolan to offer closing prayer at GOP convention in Florida -- Taking sides so openly in presidential election is not a very smart idea

Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Cardinal Timothy Dolan to offer closing prayer at GOP convention in Florida -- Taking sides so openly in presidential election is not a very smart idea

Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 08:06 AM

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Cardinal Dolan

So Cardinal Timothy Dolan is to give the closing prayer at the Republican National Convention in Tampa.

And the Catholic Church is not taking sides in this presidential election.

Here’s the comment by the church’s spokesman Joseph Zwilling who stated that Dolan had accepted the invitation “within the last two weeks,” and that the move should not be seen as partisan.

“Cardinal Dolan is going to pray, not to engage in partisan politics,” Mr. Zwilling said. “He made it clear when he accepted the invitation that he would also accept an invitation from the Democratic National Committee to offer a prayer at their convention, should they ask.

“He is going simply to pray, which is part of what a priest should do.”

Of course, the fact that he is praying from the stage of the Republican National Convention at the express invite of candidate Mitt Romney is just a coincidence.

Being the smart politician that he is, Mitt blurted it out at the first opportunity yesterday. Asked a question about religious freedom, he stated.

“Well, first of all, I’ll continue to meet with Cardinal Dolan, who, by the way, is going to offer the benediction on the last evening of the Republican Convention after my acceptance speech. So I am making it very clear that the interest of religious freedom is something I support wholeheartedly.”

So If you believe Zwilling there is no difference in Dolan doing this at say a gathering of Walmart employees and at the RNC. I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

Which no one believes for a second, anyway.

Zwilling said that GOP leaders said “they said we would really like you to do it,” when the Cardinal asked. I’ll bet they did.

It has become obvious for some time that Cardinal Dolan loves his media image and pumps it up at every opportunity.

He positively preens in the spotlight which is harmless enough, but putting the Catholic Church squarely on the side of the Republicans is a major mistake.

This is a deeply divided society right now, even at the level of the US Bishops where some have criticized VP candidate Paul Ryan for targeting his budget cuts at the poor.

Dolan has also displayed his bromance with VP candidate Paul Ryan. Speaking on Sirius radio he stated; “I came to know and admire him immensely ,” he said, “And I would consider him a friend. He and his wife Janna and their three kids have been guests in my house; I’ve been a guest at their house. They’re remarkably upright, refreshing people. And he’s a great public servant.”

Dolan claimed he was “speaking personally and not from a partisan point of view” and “not trying to be an apologist” for Ryan.

He even praised Ryan’s “call for financial accountability and restraint and a balanced budget,” as well as his “obvious solicitude for the poor.”

Dolan said, “I admire him. He’s honest. He’s refreshing. Do I agree with everything? No, but...I’m anxious to see him in action.”

Dolan is the undisputed leader of the Catholic Church in America and this move puts that church squarely in the Romney camp in this election-- which is where they have no business belonging.

This is a dog whistle to all Catholics out there to support the GOP candidates, Paul Ryan proposed budget cuts to the poor notwithstanding, which had been criticized by other bishops.

Cardinal Dolan should really know better.

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132 Comments

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seanomelb | Aug 30, 2012, 11:09 PM EDT

Property my dear boy not garbage. Good profits in garbage especially sweeping little racists like you off you off the streets. Hmmmm might be a garbage opening there!! tell me what ad city do you live in I might invest in a truck or two

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paddyRanger | Aug 30, 2012, 10:56 AM EDT

Pot, Kettle, Black...hypocrite you have the nerve to tell anyone to talk sense, you write the biggest load of garbage on here, get back in your garbage can failed businessman

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seanomelb | Aug 30, 2012, 12:56 AM EDT

Crawl out of the gutter and make some sense idiot

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paddyRanger | Aug 29, 2012, 05:54 PM EDT

Not only know what a tissue is.,....i know you are a racist failed businessman as well...so crawl back under your garbage can ..

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seanomelb | Aug 28, 2012, 08:54 PM EDT

Hey!trailer trash ranger I'm surprised you know what a tissue is.

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McNamara31 | Aug 28, 2012, 08:46 PM EDT

pilib04... A better choice for the Democratic convention would have been for the "nun's on the bus" to lead the convention in a prayer for the poor and disenfranchised who the GOP plan on leaving behind.

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pilib04 | Aug 28, 2012, 01:16 PM EDT

Dolan offered and has announced that the Democrats have accepted his offer, to do the Benediction at the Democratic National Convention.

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pilib04 | Aug 28, 2012, 01:06 PM EDT

Dolan backed down. He's is now doing both conventions. I'm sure he got a call from the boss.

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paddyRanger | Aug 27, 2012, 10:06 PM EDT

bring one over moron....see who the wimp is then ...seaney cretin

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seanomelb | Aug 27, 2012, 07:45 PM EDT

Poor paddyranger is upset hiding behind his PC. Have a tissue wimp.

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Frosty38 | Aug 27, 2012, 11:22 AM EDT

SeamusMor I;m from Boston do not put him the Kennedy area

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Frosty38 | Aug 27, 2012, 11:18 AM EDT

I watch the Mitt and then read the Boston GLobe and what the GOV had to say about what the NITT did for Mass. All of what MITT said some was not the real story. Fox News is just pee off because the Pres has NOT GONE INTO THE STATION, He has given sit downs with them at the WH but that does not count

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Frosty38 | Aug 27, 2012, 11:14 AM EDT

Now Now Paddy I'm also a Catholic and I think this Nolan should be ashamed of himself . 1 he hols the highest part of our church. Somebody should let him no stay out of Politics and go back to where he belongs. Plus I watch a video today on the birthing thing, Ryan should watch it too. It is from the gov of Hawaii

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paddyRanger | Aug 27, 2012, 08:12 AM EDT

I am Catholic, Seanomelb, so shove your Orange lodge comment down your throat if you were man enough to say to my face ...lol cowardly little leftish morons like you are big hiding behind a PC...

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seanomelb | Aug 26, 2012, 09:10 PM EDT

Peggy P_ would you like to complete Wrights sentence and the rest of that particular speech or does your simple mind only except the Fox edited version where the truth lies on the cutting room floor.

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