New York's Governor Cuomo meets with Catholic bishops

March 08, 2011

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo met with the state’s Catholic bishops on Tuesday, March 8—just a day after the governor’s office had said that Cuomo would be too busy to speak with bishops’ contingent, led by Archbishop Timothy Dolan.

The original announcement that Governor Cuomo would not meet with the bishops had stirred some controversy. Aides to the governor said that the scheduling conflict was genuine, and Cuomo only belatedly realized that the bishops would be gathered in Albany for two days, allowing for a Tuesday meeting. However, a spokesman for the bishops indicated that they had sought a meeting for weeks before receiving any response.

Governor Cuomo has also been the focus of controversy since receiving Communion at a Mass celebrated by Bishop Howard Hubbard for his inauguration in January. Cuomo, who identifies himself as a Catholic, supports unrestricted abortion and same-sex marriage; he is also living with a woman who is not his wife. His decision to receive Communion, and the decision by Bishop Hubbard to administer the Eucharist to him, have drawn sharp criticism.

 

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Further information:

• Cuomo Meets With Catholic Archbishop Timothy Dolan (NY1)
• Cuomo will meet with Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Catholic bishops after first saying he was too busy (Daily News)
• A Cuomo Schedule Conflict Draws Scrutiny (New York Times)