Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s final benediction at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday night called for blessings on the delegates, asked God for the “courage” to defend life and prayed for the renewal of “a profound respect for religious liberty.”
“Bless all here present and all across this great land who work hard for the day when a greater portion of your justice, and a more ample measure of your care for the poor and suffering, may prevail in these United States,” the archbishop of New York said Sept. 6. “Help us to see that a society’s greatness is found above all in the respect it shows for the weakest and neediest among us.”
At the close of a convention where many speakers had stressed support for legalized abortion, the cardinal prayed that God bless “those waiting to be born,” as well as the sick and the elderly.
Cardinal Dolan also touched on the controversy caused by the Obama administration issuing a rule that will require many Catholic institutions and secular businesses to pay for health plans that cover contraception, sterilization and abortion-causing drug, regardless of their beliefs.
In his prayer, the cardinal called respect for religious liberty “the first, most cherished freedom bequeathed upon us at our founding.”
He also prayed for guidance for President Obama, Vice President Joseph Biden, Congress, the Supreme Court and President Obama’s Republican political rivals.
“Make them all worthy to serve you by serving our country,” he said. “Help them remember that the only just government is the government that serves its citizens rather than itself.”
He thanked God for life and liberty, saying happiness is found “only in respecting the laws of nature and of nature’s God.” He asked God for help in resisting the temptations to “replace the moral law with idols” or to “remake those institutions you have given us for the nurturing of life and community,” an apparent reference to attempts aimed at redefining marriage.
Cardinal Dolan asked God to remember those who are not free, those who are poor, unemployed, needy, sick or alone, as well as those who are persecuted for their religion or are suffering war.
“And most of all, God almighty, we thank you for the great gift of our beloved country,” the cardinal said.
The benediction was largely similar to the cardinal’s prayer at the close of the Republican National Convention in Tampa Aug. 30. However, his prayer at the Democratic gathering was more explicit about the need to defend life.
His prayer at the Republican gathering referenced immigration in alluding to “families that have come recently ... to build a better future, while weaving their lives into the rich tapestry of America.” He prayed for “all those who seek honest labor” and thanked God for the “spirit of generosity to those in need.”
Both prayers asked God to make those in public office worthy to serve their country and stressed the need for a government that “serves its citizens rather than itself.”
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It was a beautiful prayer. The fact Dems tweeted vile comments about it - proves how great it was. Shame on them for being disrepectful; and God Bless America. Cardinal Dolan offered a beautiful benediction.
Did Cardinal Dolan Pray for respect for God’s intention for the Sanctity of Marriage and The Family or did he simply make a muddled reference without making it clear his Prayer intention included respect for The Sanctity of Marriage?
Sept. 7th: Cardinal Dolan’s prayer was powerful and intense - I have been upset with him for inviting Obama to the Al Smith dinner and I did not think he would say the things he did in his prayer…but I imagine he had listened to all the speakers proclaiming abortion to be their path, unlimited, unrestricted killing of the unborn for any and all reasons…he heard this proclaimed by self-professed Catholics like Caroline Kennedy, Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Kathleen Sebelius et al…his hands were fisted and I thought he was going to start banging his fists on the podium…he faced a mostly hostile crowd - half of them wanted God out of there, but he kept on—his intention was not ‘muddled’ he was very clear and strong.
why not give a prayer in PLAIN ENGLISH when you are in front of secular groups and be The St. John the Baptist you are called to be…example…DEAR GOD…THE ONE TRUE GOD OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST..PLEASE STOP ABORTION THROUGHOUT OUR COUNTRY AND THE WORLD, PLEASE BRING BACK TO THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE THE HOLINESS OF ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN…IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST WE PRAY ...AMEN…..in PLAIN ENGLISH Shepherds confront the media and society and imitate St. John the Baptist.
As I said elsewhere, Cardinal Dolan should have performed a mass exorcism at the Democratic National Convention and used a fire hose to spray the delegates with holy water.
The deceptive language of politicians on reproductive health, family and fertility has been highlighted in Cardinal Dolan’s prayer. The morality of Moloch is an election issue. Abortion is an affront to human sexuality and sanctity of life, which are at the core of reproductive health. Abortion impairs both the health of the mother and her baby because the natural course of event is interrupted, and involves the father in a heinous act.
Sadly, Cardinal Dolan’s prayer wasn’t heard by many from either party. After Romney and Obama finished their speech with the balloons and confetti, the people began exiting the arenas while Dolan was giving his closing prayer. None of the TV Networks broadcasted Dolan’s prayer. The networks were focused on the candidates and political personalities. Cardinal Dolan’s efforts were pretty much for not.
Dear holy father, Cardinal Dolan, God bless you. You did as God commanded: your brother is committing sins against God and man and you told your brother, repeatedly, and you told God’s Church because you represent God’s Church. God’s Word is spoken by your lips and it is accepted and cherished by the ears that love God. But the Democrat’s have heardened heart’s, they kill their innoncent children, and they even hate God. Jesus said, that you would be persecuted because you love me, and they hated me.
i did’t watch the democratic convention because of their stand on abortion and same sex marriage, I used to be a democrate but since they became the party of death to the unborn child and the sanctity of marriage I don’t want to be any where near them. I am sure that cardinal Dolan gave a very good prayer with love in his heart for each person there. I am glad that I din’t hear the talk that the sister gave that night and turned her back on the catholic teachings, she is no longer a catholic but only in name only. Shame on her.
Cardinal Dolan is a great man and a courageous man. His prayer was strong and to the point.
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