Comments on: Statement on Democratic Convention

By: Carol

Carol — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 17:06:45 +0000

Huge mistake, Cardinal Dolan, liberal Catholics looking for a reason to support the Democratic liberal agenda found one, in you being present at their convention. The prayer was a beautiful one, but NOT absorbed by the so called “Catholics” that support a party that “boos God” and “cheers abortion”. They took your presance as a sign of condoning their agenda. How many Catholics strutted out on stage, and made a verbal comment that they were Catholic, and then went on to confirm their belief in the Democratic convictions on moral issues. I am shocked that the church does not call out these so called Catholics on their public demonstrations of making a mockery of Christs Teachings.

By: Michael G. Lewis

Michael G. Lewis — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 02:11:58 +0000

If our Catholic Bishops, by their official comments and actions, do not stand for true Roman Catholic beliefs, then the Church should never, never expect the Catholic laity to be faithful to the truths taught by our HOLY LORD. If the Shepards are not loyal, then the sheep can not be expected to do so.

By: Thomas S. Dallmer

Thomas S. Dallmer — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 18:16:07 +0000

Your Eminence,

When I wrote earlier I was concerned about your decision to pray at the Democratic National Convention. I was afraid your doing so would give the Cathilic faithful the idea that one party was as good as the other and we could vote democratic with a clear conscience. After hearing what you had to say however, I want to say my fears were unfounded. The prayer you offered was on the mark and quite right for the occasion.

Thank you for standing up for what is right.

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 03:46:30 +0000

What a confusing message you have put before us at the DNC. 80 Million Catholics and others where offended this summer with the HHS mandates and our leader of church in this US goes and says a prayer?? Anyone tuning in not understanding the whole picture will think “Hey if he is there, maybe it is okay to vote for our current administration. I couldn’t even bring my self to call the president our “Leader”. Now I am struggling with Cardinal Dolan. You should of used this invitation to speak as a platform to get the point accross for the mlllions of faithful about where we stand on abortion, contreceptives, etc. How unfortunate you choose the wreckless path of silence. Desperate times don’t always call for desperate measures, but it does call for the right response when an opportunitiy is given. If you don’t believe me just remember how God used Moses against the pharoahs of Egypt. What a shame this was not to be taken advantage of for all to hear. I hope you being at the DNC doesn’t help this thug keep in Washington.

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 17:38:31 +0000

Dear Cardinal Dolan,
I prayerfully request that you reconsider your appearance at the DNC. Your appearance will be construed as an endorsement of abortion, same-sex marriage, and attacks on religious liberty and rights of conscience. Catholics who are wavering in their faith will be confused by their shepherd. Members of your flock will be led astray by your connection with this pro-abortion platform and administration. They will see this not just as a sign of how they should vote, but a confirmation that you can be Catholic and pro-abortion, Catholic and for same-sex marriage, Catholic and pay for contraception in your health insurance, and Catholic and not worried about the attacks on our religious liberty. As a lay person serving in the pro-life ministry since 1992, I cannot convert hearts or lead others to Christ’s truth with the authority of a priest, much less a Cardinal. The DNC voted to remove God from their platform. It took three votes to get a mention of Him reinstated. Yet, the idol of abortion is held high and firmly defended by this adminstration and this party. The sound bites and video clips from this appearance will be used to promote the anti-life, anti-traditional marriage, and anti-established religion agenda of those who seek to destroy our nation, because look who’s there with them and on their side now. For the salvation of souls and the end of abortion, please do not make an appearanceat the DNC. Pray for the conversion of hearts at a different location and lead your flock by making the truth of Christ’s Church clear that you cannot be Catholic and pro-abortion. Our faith is non-negotiable. It is not neutral. We must take a stand and stand with Christ.

By: Irene

Irene — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 09:59:57 +0000

I think the concern of some about “confusing the faithful” is a little misplaced (unless perhaps, you’re speaking about yourself personally?) I think we’re adults and we can filter through rhetoric, whatever the source.

By: Maurice Inkel Jr

Maurice Inkel Jr — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 00:04:07 +0000

Dear Cardinal Dolan,

I sent you an email the other day via the diocesan website for media inquires before I knew about this blog.

I too would like to add my voice to those who prayerfully request you reconsider conducting the benediction at the DNC converntion. I understand better than most, the confusion such actions cause among Catholics that don’t really follow politics and or religion that much, and among non-Catholic Christians such as my wife and our friends from her church.

There is no doubt in my mind that unless you intend to make this a St. John Chrysostom — Eudoxia moment, many, including many Catholics, will view your appearance as a clear signal that what each party’s goals are morally equivalent. That somehow any amoral positions held by one are basically balanced by other good positions. This is absolutely NOT TRUE. Well meaning people can disagree on how to accomplish some goals, but with others it is the goal that is absolutely wrong including promoting the homosexual life style and most especially abortion.

I don’t mean to sound insolent in anyway, but I am truely confused myself as to why our bishops don’t stand up and speak and act in unequivical terms. Public figures claiming to be good practicing Catholics not only speaking, but acting against the teachings of the Church, Pres. Obama at Notre Dame, Nuns on the Bus politicing, etc. One only needs to read the polls in Our Sunday Visitor to see how confused the sheep are.

We need shepherds now more than ever.

With My Thoughts and Prayers,

Maurice

By: Marty

Marty — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 15:03:22 +0000

Cardinal Dolan:

If you think for one second that your appearance will not be viewed as a political event in support of the democrat party and its platform (or at least an indication that there’s nothing evil about it), you are misguided, to say the least. All you need do is look at the democrat’s own PR pronouncements directly and through their surrogates. All you need do is accept the undeniable reality that Americans are not going to read your self-serving rationalizations, they are going to see your presence as sanctioning their vote for the party of death when, in truth, no practicing Catholic can in good conscience support any person who adopts the democrat party’s platform. I do not consider myself the “best” Catholic or even a particularly “good” Catholic, but there are certain fundamental truths that cannot and should not ever be denied or concealed. Without the right to life, there is nothing. When you bless the political convention of a party that celebrates a right to abortion – even partial birth abortion – you are giving tacit acknowledgment that it’s okay for Catholics to support the democrat party despite its firm support and advocacy of abortion. Any explanations and assertions that that you do not support the democrat party’s abortion position, that you can despise the sin but not the sinner (how facile and juvenile), that your appearance is not a political event, are nothing more than the sophistry of a coward. Language too strong? I don’t think so. Am I angry? You bet I am! You and the Catholic Church are engaged in a defining battle with the government and democrat party whose outcome is going to determine the future of the Church in the US, whether you like it or not, and it’s time to stop pretending otherwise. Stand up and be counted when it matters, Cardinal Dolan.

By: M L Carson

M L Carson — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 14:13:18 +0000

I am aghast that Archbishop Dolan will give a closing prayer at the Democratic National Convention! His presence is tacit support of a Democratic Party that protects abortion, one of the greatest evils of our society, and a President who has voted for the right of a parent to murder a child that is born alive after an attempted abortion. Even those who argue that a child does not become a human being until birth are hard-put to justify what most certainly should be considered murder in anyone’s eyes. Add to that the President’s unlawful suberversion of a church’s right to uphold their teachings, and it becomes unconscionable for the Archbishop to attend this consortium. There is no honor here in being “fair and balanced” because the Archbishop prayed at the Republican Convention. The Archbishop needs to rebuke evil as Jesus would.

By: Bryan Walsch

Bryan Walsch — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 17:30:06 +0000

Perhaps Democrats, having had an opportunity to see and hear Cardinal Dolan, will understand that it is not “extreme” to preserve human life (both born and unborn), nor is it extreme to expect that our leaders adhere to the United States Constitution. It is indeed reasonable for all of us to ensure that elected officials do not prohibit the free exercise of religion, by forcing any religion to provide and/or pay for the cost of abortions.

I know Cardinal Dolan is not praying at the Democrat convention as a means to persuade Democrats to change their desire to abort human life, and require that all of us chip-in to pay for the cost of abortions. However, his presence and his ability to relate to people of all kinds, will go a long way towards ending the notion that those of us that work to keep our unborn safe and healthy, are somehow “extreme”.