January 6, 2012

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has announced that His Excellency the Most Reverend Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York, and His Excellency the Most Reverend Edwin F. O'Brien, Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, will be elevated to the dignity of Cardinal in a Consistory to be held on February 18, 2012.

Archbishop Dolan released a statement today in which he expressed his gratitude to Pope Benedict XVI saying that he is "honored, humbled, and grateful." He also thanked the people of the archdiocese of New York, "this is about an affirmation of love from the Pope to a celebrated archdiocese and community, and a summons to its unworthy archbishop to serve Jesus, His Church universal, His vicar on earth, and His people better."

Archbishop Dolan is the eighth Archbishop of New York to be named a Cardinal. The first seven Cardinal Archbishops of New York were:

• John Cardinal McCloskey (Archbishop 1864-1885; created Cardinal 1875. First American Cardinal.)

• John Cardinal Farley (Archbishop 1902-1918; created Cardinal 1911)

• Patrick Cardinal Hayes (Archbishop 1919-1938; created Cardinal 1924)

• Francis Cardinal Spellman (Archbishop 1939-1967; created Cardinal 1946)

• Terence Cardinal Cooke (Archbishop 1968-1983; created Cardinal 1969)

• John Cardinal O'Connor (Archbishop 1984-2000; created Cardinal 1985)

• Edward Cardinal Egan (Archbishop 2000-2009; created Cardinal 2001)

Statement of Cardinal-designate Dolan

On this "Twelfth Day of Christmas" the traditional celebration of the Epiphany, I have received a gift from Pope Benedict XVI, as he announced just a couple of hours ago at the end of Mass in Saint Peter's Basilica that I would be among those to become a cardinal in Rome at the consistory of February 18th.

Yes, I am honored, humbled, and grateful, …but, let's be frank: this is not about Timothy Dolan; this is an honor from the Holy Father to the Archdiocese of New York, and to all our cherished friends and neighbors who call this great community home.

It's as if Pope Benedict is putting the red hat on top of the Empire State Building, or the Statue of Liberty, or on home plate at Yankee Stadium; or on the spires of Saint Patrick's Cathedral or any of our other parish churches; this is the successor of Saint Peter saying to the clergy, sisters, brothers, lay faithful of this archdiocese, and to all of our friends and neighbors of New York: Thank you! Keep up the good work! You are a leader, an inspiration, to the Church and to the world.

Over the Christmas holy days I finished a biography of President Kennedy, and recalled his reply to someone who sincerely congratulated him on the honor of the presidency.

"Thanks," John Kennedy replied, "but I don't look at it so much as an honor as a call to higher service."

My sentiments exactly. This is not about privilege, change of colors, hats, new clothes, places of honor, or a different title. Jesus warned us about all that stuff.

No: this is about an affirmation of love from the Pope to a celebrated archdiocese and community, and a summons to its unworthy archbishop to serve Jesus, His Church universal, His vicar on earth, and His people better.

I'll try to do that…but I sure need your prayers.

Adding to our sense of joy, is the news that another native New Yorker, my brother bishop and good friend, Archbishop Edwin O'Brien, until recently Archbishop of Baltimore and now the Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, has also been elevated to the cardinalate. The Cardinal-designate was ordained a priest for this Archdiocese in 1965, and he is still warmly remembered for his service here as a priest, secretary to Cardinals Cooke and O'Connor, Rector of Saint Joseph's Seminary, and auxiliary bishop.

Thanks so much for your good wishes.

Statement of Edward Cardinal Egan on Cardinal-designate Dolan

Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop Emeritus, sent the following statement yesterday afternoon from Rome:

This afternoon Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan telephoned me here in Rome where I will tomorrow be representing him and the Archdiocese of New York at the Episcopal consecration of a New York priest, Monsignor Charles Brown, by his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in Saint Peter's Basilica. Cardinal-designate Dolan called to share with me the splendid news that he is to be elevated to the cardinalate in a consistory on February 17, 2012. I extended to him my heartfelt congratulations and assured him of my prayers. In addition, I enthusiastically accepted his invitation that I join the clergy, religious, and faithful of the Archdiocese for the consistory here in the Eternal City. This is wonderful news for the Cardinal-designate and for the entire community of faith that he serves so well.

Statement of Edward Cardinal Egan on Cardinal-designate O'Brien

Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop Emeritus, sent the following statement today from Rome:

The announcement that His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edwin F. O'Brien, is to be elevated to the cardinalate is reason for all of the clergy, religious and laity of the Archdiocese of New York to rejoice. Cardinal-designate O'Brien was ordained a priest for the archdiocese, served as secretary to Terence Cardinal Cooke, and was twice rector of our archdiocesan seminary, Saint Joseph's in Dunwoodie, in addition, he has been rector of the Pontifical North American College in Vatican City and Archbishop of Baltimore, and is now the Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher.

In his rectorships both in New York and in Vatican City, I had the pleasure of working with Cardinal-designate O'Brien and admiring his commitment to the church and his wisdom in guiding young men in their preparation for the priesthood.

It was an honor to be in Rome representing the Archdiocese of New York at the Episcopal Consecration of another New York priest, Archbishop Charles Brown, when the Holy Father announced the elevation of both Archbishop Dolan and Archbishop O'Brien. I have personally assured Cardinal-designate O'Brien of my heartfelt congratulations as I did Cardinal-designate Dolan by telephone. Both of them have a special place in my prayers, I look forward to being of assistance to them in any way that I can in the crucially important work that lies ahead for both.

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York