Archbishop Dolan installed as Archbishop of New York, says Church a 'mamma bear' in defending life

April 16, 2009

Archbishop Timothy Dolan was installed on April 15 as Archbishop of New York.

In his installation homily, Archbishop Dolan paid tribute to New York’s “welcome given to countless immigrants, like even my own great-great grandparents, who came and still do come to this country through this city with little or nothing of earthly value, but tenaciously clung to that ‘pearl of great price,’ their faith, to find in the Church here the spiritual counterpart of Lady Liberty, Holy Mother Church, who welcomed them, embraced them, settled them in, taught their children, and kept that faith alive.”

Archbishop Dolan also paid tribute to New York’s priests and religious:

The risen Christ is alive here in the Church in and through her priests. My brother priests: you are the apple of my eye! You mean everything to me. Without you, I can do nothing. In you I still see St. Isaac Joques, Venerable Felix Varela, Issac Hecker, Fighting Father Duffy, Fulton J. Sheen, Richard John Neuhaus, Avery Dulles; in you I see men who continue the power of the resurrection at the altar, in the confessional, in the classroom, with the sick, searching, and the poor … The Risen Christ is alive in her consecrated religious, women and men, in whom Elizabeth Ann Seton, Francis Xavier Cabrini, and Michael Judge find most worthy heirs, as you continue to give the Word flesh in your simplicity of life, charity, and obedience.

Archbishop Dolan also emphasized the Church’s teaching on the sanctity of life:

His Church continues to embrace and protect the dignity of every human person, the sanctity of human life, from the tiny baby in the womb to the last moment of natural passing into eternal life. As the Servant of God Terrence Cardinal Cooke wrote, "Human life is no less sacred or worthy of respect because it is tiny, pre-born, poor, sick, fragile, or handicapped." Yes, the Church is a loving mother who has a zest for life and serves life everywhere, but she can become a protective "mamma bear" when the life of her innocent, helpless cubs is threatened.

 

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Further information:

• Archbishop Dolan’s installation homily (Archdiocese of New York)
• With Pomp and a New Vigor, Dolan Arrives as Archbishop (New York Times)
• Archbishop Dolan Recalls a Hero in First Homily (New York Times)
• Archbishop Timothy Dolan's proud mom says spark 'is in him' (New York Daily News)
• NYC's new archbishop aims to renew church (AP)