I always say that I want a Cardinal Dolan teddy bear that I can hug every time he does something awesome. That’s how I feel right now.
From The Caucus, New York Times:
Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan weighed in on the role of religion in politics in an Easter Sunday appearance on “Face the Nation,” and defended Rick Santorum over a comment that reading John F. Kennedy ’s 1960 speech about the separation of church and state almost made him throw up.
Speaking at a Catholic college in New Hampshire last fall, Mr. Santorum said that when he had read Kennedy’s speech, “I almost threw up.” He added: “In my opinion it was the beginning of the secular movement of politicians to separate their faith from the public square, and he threw faith under the bus in that speech.”
Asked about those comments on Sunday by Bob Schieffer, the host of “Face the Nation,” Cardinal Dolan, the archbishop of New York, said, “I find myself, believe it or not, agreeing with both of them.”
He said that he approved of Kennedy’s speech, but that he believed that it had been misinterpreted.
“Senator Santorum had a good point, because, unfortunately, what John Kennedy said in September of 1960,” Cardinal Dolan said, “has been misinterpreted to mean that a separation of church and state also means a cleavage, a wall, between one’s faith and one’s political decisions, between one’s—one’s moral focus and between the way one might act in the political sphere.”
“I don’t think John Kennedy meant that,” the cardinal said.
Saying that Kennedy “did mean a wall between state and church, and I’d applaud that one,” he went on to say: “But I’d agree with Senator Santorum that, unfortunately, that’s been misrepresented to mean that faith has no place in the public square. That I would, with Senator Santorum, say is a misinterpretation.”
Amen. He also reiterated a previous statement that he had made about Mitt Romney.
“I said, ‘There may be reasons not to vote for Mitt Romney as president of the United States — that he’s Mormon cannot be one of them,’” he said.
This is not an endorsement of Rick Santorum by Cardinal Dolan, however it does help a great deal to have his acknowledgement that one of the key points Rick Santorum has made on the campaign trail in regard to religious freedom, a point that Senator Santorum has been raked over the coals for, is a valid and important point. It is also very helpful to know that Cardinal Dolan does see that there are “reasons not to vote for Mitt Romney as president of the United States.”
God bless you, Cardinal Dolan. Now, can anyone find me a Cardinal Dolan teddy bear? I want to hug it…all…day…long. And please tell Cardinal Dolan that there is a poor, single mom of four down in the Archdiocese of Owensboro who loves him very very much and who is crying tears of joy today for the Risen Christ, but also for the blessing of having him be my voice to America.
Some quotes from the Second Letter of St. Paul to St. Timothy:
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy, 1. 7
On this account I am suffering these things; but I am not ashamed, for I know him in whom I have believed and am confident that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day. 2 Timothy, 1. 12
Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. 2 Timothy, 2. 10
Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation. 2 Timothy, 2.15
But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy, 4. 5
I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy, 4. 7
