In a sign of the importance of Catholics in American political life, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York has been invited to pray at the national conventions of both the Republican and Democratic parties.
The archbishop of New York is scheduled to give a benediction at the end of the Republican convention in Tampa, Florida, at 2pm on August 31 New Zealand time, and at the Democratic convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 7 New Zealand time.
Joseph Zwilling, a spokesman for the archdiocese, said: “It was made clear to the Democratic convention organisers, as it was to the Republicans, that the cardinal was coming solely as a pastor, only to pray, not to endorse any party, platform or candidate.”
“Clearly, Cardinal Dolan is seen by the bishops as the spokesman for the US bishops in this country. In a sense, he’s trying to be the Catholic Billy Graham,” commented Father Thomas Reese, SJ, a senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown Unviersity.
Father Reese said the cardinal’s praying with both parties projects the same “being above partisan politics” image Graham has broadcast for decades.
Cardinal Dolan has also challenged the Republican and Democratic candidates for president and vice-president to sign a pledge “to employ a more civil tone in public discourse on political and social issues, focusing on policies rather than on individual personalities”.
At the Democratic convention, observed New York Times commentator Sharon Otterman, “Cardinal Dolan, an opponent of abortion and same-sex marriage who is among the Catholic bishops suing the Obama administration over its contraception health care mandate, will bless a gathering of thousands of delegates who passionately disagree with him.”
The Democrats will also hear from Sister Simone Campbell, the chief organiser of the Nuns on the Bus tour criticising Republican budget plans. She will give a political address.
In recent years, Catholics have emerged as an important swing vote. Long predominantly Democratic, Catholics have increasingly shifted to the Republican Party, drawn by conservative positions on social issues.
Sources:
Image: Firstpost
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