Cardinal Dolan, Stephen Colbert match wits at comedy forum
September 17, 2012
Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York and comedian Stephen Colbert engaged in an evening of banter before a crowd of 3,000 at Fordham University on September 14.
“The real reason I remain a Catholic is what the Church gives me, which is love,” said Colbert in a more serious moment. When introduced as someone who could be the next pope, Cardinal Dolan replied, “If I am elected pope, which is probably the greatest gag all evening, I’ll be Stephen III.”
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Further information:
- A Comedian and a Cardinal Open Up on Spirituality (New York Times)
- Cardinal Dolan, Stephen Colbert to match wits in forum on comedy (CWN, 7/25)
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Posted by: lauriem5377 -
Sep. 18, 2012 1:54 PM ET USA
I think there is plenty of room for spirituality and humor - however, there is a time to enjoy humor and a time to focus on the needs at hand. When lives and souls are at grave risk, I think the shepherd needs to tend seriously to the wounds of his flock. What's happening with these 'media events' is painting a picture of a church way out of touch and oblivious to the sufferings and needs around it.
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Posted by: TheJournalist64 -
Sep. 17, 2012 8:15 PM ET USA
And while you are at it, rescind the invitation to the Al Smith dinner to Obama. Tell him it was a bad joke. It was.
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Posted by: John J Plick -
Sep. 17, 2012 8:06 PM ET USA
Now he (Cardinal Dolan) is involved in a “comedy show...” Luk 7:32; "They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept." “I” certainly am NOT laughing....; and I feel certainly neither are any number of other sincere Catholics.
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Posted by: lauriem5377 -
Sep. 17, 2012 7:39 PM ET USA
Catholics are in danger of losing religious freedom, unrestricted abortion is full speed ahead by our President and the Democratic Party sending millions of babies to unspeakable deaths every day, Christians are under attack across the globe this week - some martyred for their faith and the 'head of the Catholic Church in the US' is partying with Colbert and then off to party with Obama. I pray our Holy Father will cast his eye west and pull in the reins to save the lives and souls being lost.
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Posted by: unum -
Sep. 17, 2012 6:31 PM ET USA
Our modern Church has given the impression that spirituality and humor are mutually exclusive' Wrong! I saw the joy of Christ in this event from both the Cardinal and Colbert (I am not a fan), without any disrespect for our faith. I believe the U.S. Church has a real leader who can connect with the laity. As they say, "He puts his pants on one leg at a time".
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Posted by: koinonia -
Sep. 17, 2012 4:47 PM ET USA
In the outside chance that he is elected in this age of recorded information easily dredged up for future perusal, one wonders how the gag comment might be perceived. In a time when the shortcomings of prelates have had a profound effect on the Church and her faithful in doctrine, liturgy and politics, there has been a proclivity for the "limelight." This is not unnatural. It is however unsupernatural, a bit short of the tremendous "tremendousness" of the office of a prince of the Church.
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Posted by: Defender -
Sep. 17, 2012 1:14 PM ET USA
The cardinal sure does like the limelight, doesn't he? How about imposing a few Canon 915's in your own archdiocese your eminence? - that'll get more than a few people to take note.
