The Vatican Press Office has issued the following:
The Holy Father, Benedict XVI, has accepted the resignation from pastoral oversight of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of New York (U.S.A.), presented by His Eminence Card. Edward M. EGAN, in conformity with canon 401 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law.
The Pope has named Metropolitan Archbishop of New York (U.S.A.) H. E. Abp. Timothy M. DOLAN, up to now Archbishop of Milwaukee. [Holy See Press Office] translation Rorate Caeli
He is anticipated to make an appearance along side Cardinal Egan at mass this morning with a press conference to be held later.
John Allen has this take on the pattern developing in Pope Benedict’s Episcopal appointments.
While Pope Benedict XVI’s appointment of Archbishop Timothy Dolan to New York hardly marks a dramatic break with key picks under recent popes, it may confirm an intriguing pattern-within-a-pattern under Benedict when it comes to the most important jobs in the United States.
In a sound-bite, one might call it a choice for “the center-right with a human face.”
In essence, that means leaders who are basically conservative in both their politics and their theology, but also upbeat, pastoral figures given to dialogue. It’s a pattern with across-the-board consequences for both the substance and the style of American Catholicism, and one that could carry particularly interesting implications for relations between church and state in the Age of Obama.
Smile broadly and carry a big stick.
February 23, 2009 at 1:45 pm
He will be missed in Milwaukee…
February 23, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Can anyone tell me what this will mean for the Diocese of Albany? Are we under the Archdiocese of NY? I moved up here several months ago, and the liturgical abuse is pretty bad. Our bishop was shown gushing on TV having gone to the Obama inauguration. Is there any reason to think that we might get some help up here from getting Dolan in NYC? Please?
February 23, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Henceforth I will measure all new episcopal appointments by the number of Tridentine masses in their archdiocese.
February 23, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Well we’re talking John Allen here so
John Allen centre-right = Sane well centred person’s mid-left.
I know thats a bit prejudicial but Mr Allen has form.
I have no knowledge of Bishop Dolan just John Allen I hasten to add.
February 23, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Was Fr. Dolan once chaplain at the University of San Diego?
— Mack
February 23, 2009 at 4:27 pm
I have met Abp. Dolan many times as we are in his Archdiocese part of the year. He is a hardworking man and very knowledgeable on any number of issues.
New York has a fine man coming in suitable to the legacy of another fine man, Cardinal Egan.
JBP
February 23, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Oh man, we’re going to miss him here in Wisconsin
But good for New York!