Cardinal Dolan lauds Paul Ryan as ‘great public servant’

CWN - August 21, 2012

Speaking on Sirius Catholic Channel radio, Cardinal Timothy Dolan lauded vice presidential contender Paul Ryan as a “great public servant.”

Recalling a Wisconsin Lutheran college commencement that both attended, Cardinal Dolan said that Ryan spoke for nine minutes on St. Thomas Aquinas. “It was tremendous, in front of a Lutheran audience,” the cardinal said. “So we really started up a great correspondence and got to know each other very, very well.”

“I came to know and admire him immensely,” Cardinal Dolan added. “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.”

Stating he was “speaking personally and not from a partisan point of view” and “not trying to be an apologist” for Ryan, Cardinal Dolan praised Ryan’s “call for financial accountability and restraint and a balanced budget” as well as his “obvious solicitude for the poor.”

Noting that there may be differences in “prudential judgment” over how to assist the poor, Cardinal Dolan added that “I admire him. He’s honest. He’s refreshing. Do I agree with everything? No, but . . . I’m anxious to see him in action.”

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Show 3 Comments? (Hidden)Hide Comments
  • Posted by: impossible - Aug. 23, 2012 11:50 AM ET USA

    A number of Bishops at the June 2012 meeting scolded the USCCB for issuing its letter criticizing Paul Ryan's budge. Specifically, they echoed my often-stated observation that the letter was partisan. These good Bishops and many many more need to organize and foster a national effort to denounce the Faithful Citizenship document i.e. sections 35 and 42 in particular. They then need to formulate and issue an honest and brief guide like Catholic Answer's "Voters Guide for Serious Catholics."

  • Posted by: impossible - Aug. 22, 2012 4:29 PM ET USA

    Cardinal Dolan should swallow his pride of position and do the right thing - postpone the Al Smith dinner to a date after the Nov election.

  • Posted by: brenda22890 - Aug. 21, 2012 11:03 AM ET USA

    Unfortunately, the mainstream media will carry a photo-op of Cardinal Dolan with Obama at the Al Smith dinner. Not one will mention his positive remarks about Paul Ryan.

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