Dolan Ushering in New Era For Catholics

Incoming Archbishop offers contrasting style to predecessor

It has never happened before. But this afternoon, a living Archbishop of New York will formally turn over authority to his successor.

Previously, New York's Bishops, and later, Archbishops, had served until death.

That is just one reason why so much anticipation and preparation surrounds the Mass of Installation of Archbishop Timothy Dolan.

The 59-year-old could lead New York's 2.5 million Catholics spread across 10 counties for the next 16 years at least, until the mandatory retirement age of 75.

Sixteen years is a lot of time to confront all of  the archdiocese's issues: the declining number of priests and nuns, the struggles of parochial schools, the exodus of Hispanic Catholics to other Christian denominations and the lingering fallout of the priest sex-abuse scandal.

Many New York Catholics wonder how Archbishop Dolan will use the mighty and far-reaching pulpit of St. Patrick's to shape the debate in City Hall, and in Albany on gay marriage, stem-cell research, immigration and, of course, abortion.

And many New York Catholics are most curious about a change in tone and personality that will come with the change in office .

After nine years in what is the Catholic Church's most influential post in the United States, the 77-year-old Cardinal Edward Egan is retiring and will be replaced by the gregarious Archbishop Dolan.

During Cardinal Egan's tenure, the 9/11 attacks scarred the city, a widespread sex abuse scandal rocked the church and the economics of changing demographics forced closings or mergers of several Catholic schools and parishes.

Cardinal Egan's response to those matters, coupled with his reserved public persona, gave many the impression that he was more interested in  the administration of the church than the pastoring of it. He has always disputed that, even more so in recent weeks.

Although his relationship with the aggressive New York media has been strained at best, a recent editorial praised Egan for his handling of the Archdiocese's finances. He put it on solid financial footing  after inheriting an estimated $48 million shortfall.

In substance, it would seem that Cardinal Egan and incoming Archbishop Dolan are very much alike, as passionate and conservative about church doctrine as they come.

But in style, the early indications are that the two are very different.

Dolan, who has served as Archbishop of Milwaukee since 2002,.is widely described as an outgoing, "regular" guy who engages even those who don’t agree with him. 

Historically, the  Archbishop of New York has been a dominant figure in the landscape of city politics, which is why the appointment of a new one interests  the city's media, its leadership,  and its non-Catholic residents as well.

So on Wednesday, after a Mass steeped in centuries-old ritual and pageantry, Timothy Dolan will be speaking with a new authority.

And Catholics -- all New Yorkers -- will be listening.

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