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Cardinal Dolan, Who Is Suing Obama, Says His RNC Appearance Isn't Political
By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 23, 2012
Modified Aug 23, 2012
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By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 23, 2012
Modified Aug 23, 2012
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Cardinal Dolan will be at the Republican National Convention to give a benediction. Joseph Zwilling, spokesman for the New York Archdiocese, said, "Cardinal Dolan is going to pray, not to engage in partisan politics... He is going simply to pray, which is part of what a priest should do." Of course, the thing is, Dolan is suing the Obama administration over the birth control mandate. And remember—the birth control mandate is like Pearl Harbor AND 9/11!
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who invited Dolan and Zwilling, issued a statement explaining, "Although it is usual church protocol to invite the local bishop to offer such a prayer, convention organizers asked the Cardinal if he would consider doing so. After contacting Bishop Robert Lynch, the Bishop of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, Florida, who gave the Cardinal his approval, the Cardinal accepted. It was made clear to the convention organizers, however, that the Cardinal was coming only to pray not to endorse, and that he would be willing to accept a similar offer from the Democratic Party as well. That same sentiment was conveyed to the Democratic National Committee." Well, Romney and President Obama are both attending the Alfred Smith Dinner this year.
Of course, when Romney commented about Dolan's and other Catholic bishops' lawsuit against the White House, he said, "Well, first of all, I’ll continue to meet with Cardinal Dolan, who, by the way, is going to offer the benediction on the last evening of the Republican Convention after my acceptance speech. So I am making it very clear that the interest of religious freedom is something I support wholeheartedly." (Religious freedom equals denying women birth control, y'all!) Can't wait to hear what Dolan says about legitimate rape.
Tagged
birth control
birth control mandate
cardinal dolan
election 2012
mitt romney
president obama
republican national convention
timothy dolan
war on women
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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