Fordham University students were treated to a rare opportunity last week when they packed an auditorium to hear Cardinal Timothy Dolan and television comedian Stephen Colbert trade jokes and discuss faith.
Cardinal Dolan told Colbert that “part of my admiration for you is that, while you often tease and joke about your faith and the Church, there’s no denying that you take your faith seriously, and look to the Church as your spiritual family.”
“In fact, when I met you last spring at a very glitzy gathering where you were the MC, the first thing you said to me was, ‘Cardinal Dolan, tomorrow night I’ll be with my son as he receives the sacrament of confirmation. Say a prayer for him, would you?’”
The event occurred Sept. 14 at Fordham University in New York City before an audience of 3,000 students.
Colbert hosts Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report, a faux news show in which he plays a caricature of political commentators.
The event was hosted by Jesuit Father James Martin. He often appears as a guest on The Colbert Report and is the show’s “official chaplain.”
The evening was an opportunity for the two to trade jokes while also being open and honest about faith and spirituality.
“My assignment was to share with you for a few moments what you might call the ‘theological reasons’ for laughter. Why would a person of faith be cheerful?” Cardinal Dolan asked.
“Here’s my reason for joy: the cross. You heard me right: the cross of Christ!” he said.
Even though Jesus died “on that Friday strangely called ‘Good,’” and “it seemed we could never smile again,” “then came “the Sunday called Easter … and God had the last word.”
The Resurrection, and its message of the triumph of hope and light, Cardinal Dolan told his hearers, is the reason for Christian joy.
Both pointed to joy as an infallible sign of the presence of God.
Colbert is adamant about his faith on his show; in a 2006 episode even recited the Nicene Creed on national television.
He doesn’t joke at religion’s expense on his show, but will take on individuals’ misuse of religion.
“If Jesus doesn’t have a sense of humor, I’m in huge trouble,” he said.
Cardinal Dolan assured him, “He does. He chose me to be a priest.”
Colbert joked about the new English translation of the Missal, specifically citing its use of the word “consubstantial.”
He said, “It’s the Creed … not the SAT prep.”
The two took questions from the student audience, one of whom said he is considering priesthood and asked if it would be prudent to avoid dating.
Cardinal Dolan responded that dating can be good, helping one to discern, adding “let me give you the phone numbers of my nieces.”
Colbert joined in and said that it’s “actually a great pickup line: I’m seriously considering the priesthood. You can change my mind.”
When asked about his favorite beer, Cardinal Dolan responded, “Why don’t you take me out and see?”
The event started when Colbert and Cardinal Dolan went onstage. When Colbert went to shake the cardinal’s hand, Cardinal Dolan instead bent down to kiss Colbert’s ring in a humorous role-reversal for the prelate.
After that, Cardinal Dolan told Colbert it was good to be with him, and that his nieces were fans and excited for the event. He ribbed Colbert, though, saying that “tonight would pale compared to being with Clint Eastwood two weeks ago at one of the two national conventions.”
Colbert discussed his Catholic faith and how he treats of it in his comedy. He is active in his parish, helping to teach religious education to children. He acknowledged that the Church is flawed and human, while affirming that there absolutely is “great beauty” in her as well.
“The real reason I remain a Catholic is what the Church gives me, which is love.”
“I love my Church, warts and all.”
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Wow. I woke up this morning and came across these comments. As a lifelong Catholic and parish music director its comments in a thread like this from my brothers and sisters in Christ that make me sad. Although I am pro-life and support the Church in all her teachings, the way some of you attack each other and judge one another is disheartening. I’m sure you will all call me progressive for saying the following since you are all judge and jury these days, but let us pray, love and accept one another where we stand. Remove the plank in our eyes before we worry of our brothers and sisters. The actions of our leaders do carry grave consequences but we must vote accordingly and pray, not cast hurt towards one another. This is all we can do, not tear each other down for not seeing eye to eye on every single thing. God Bless you all, I love and will be praying for our whole church and Her leaders!
Here’s the thing. How can you call sin a sin, yet affirm the “self esteem” of the individual? Jesus Himself knocked over tables and called those buyers and sellers in His House what they were.
Yes, some of us get angry,—indeed, righteous anger is not a sin. Righteous anger is also not hate. Or rather, we are all exhorted to hate the sin and love the sinner. Some of us fall in their expression of righteous anger. That is because we are fallen humans.
In fact, I suspect this anger is not only about the current story. At first, many church leaders routinely did terrible things (see ref. Clown Masses and other horrors) that offended the orthodox. Those wounds have not quite healed. Then, the church on Earth was rocked by sex scandals. Now we have a cardinal whom many orthodox felt was on their side, who is now capering on stage with a man who is thought to live in a manner inconsistent with his claimed Catholic heritage. It is no wonder that a lot of people are angry.
However, I don’t have any evidence that Cardinal Dolan has truly sold out his orthodox supporters. Yes, I even know about the Smith dinner “scandal”. Still, No. I think he has a plan that goes outside the box on what we, the orthodox catholic laity would like to see. Because I suspect that Cardinal Dolan is thinking beyond his own flock of New York City, or even the Catholic Faithful.
I think he is placing himself to be an identifiable public figure that the average American can look to and say, “Yeah, he’s a nice guy. He’s not crazy.” He is preforming an evangelization not for himself, but for all Catholics. I think he’s taking a page from Bl. John Paul II’s playbook.
Having lived under two different oppressive regimes in the same country, he might have a point.
I think he’s doing this so that down the road, when things get truly bad, average Joe will say, “Um, hey! What he’s saying can’t be so bad, he’s such a nice guy. Why did they put him in jail for what he believes?”
We can’t forget that we live in a Democracy. What people think on this level matters. And it will STILL matter, even if what we wind up with isn’t.
I also think that he is trying to bring the church together, both liberal and conservative. Perhaps also reaching out to them, so that if they see him as a friendly human leader, that they won’t be so quick to dismiss him as a forbidding rules lawyer. Even Jesus said to meet people where they are when you bring them closer to Him. Who’s to say that he did not have a long private talk with Mr. Colbert? We simply aren’t there cheer him on, because it is not our business, and not our soul.
There are, undoubtedly, pitfalls and problems that can occur with such an approach. One of them is that some of your staunchest supporters for all the right things can get angry and feel betrayed. That anger covers a deep wound that hits to the heart of the Church. Keep an eye on his faith and moral teachings. THAT is where his orthodoxy is most evident. He needs your prayers!
What makes us Christian is that we abide in The Truth of Love. Any act, including any sexual act, that does not respect the inherent Dignity of the human person, who from the moment of conception has been created in The Image of God, equal in Dignity, while being complementary as male and female to reflect God’s Love, is not an act of Love. Our call to Holiness is a call to Love. If we are for Christ, we cannot be against Him.
These comments are exactly why so many turn away from Christianity
The pure hatred in these comments are completely contradictory to Christ’s teachings….....
The people who hate are the phony Christians, not the Cardinal or Stephen Colbert…......
It seems like some of you are so overly political you forget what Christianity is all about…......love not hate…....
You may disagree with people who are pro-choice but remember they have a right to speak their mind…....as do all Americans….....and Christians…....and hate will not change their minds….
Why don’t we pray for those women that are placed in situations where they feel they have no other option but to abort, the women who are usually alone and scared, instead of victimizing them and judging them…..........instead, we could do more to support them, so they will feel secure enough to keep their child or make sure they are informed of other options…........anyway aren’t we Christians not meant to judge? aren’t we not meant to hate?
Stephen is a comedian and I’ve seen the clips, sometimes, he’s quite funny…........I hold nothing against him because of his political leanings, that may be more liberal than my own….....isn’t it time we stopped calling liberals evil? Isn’t that unchristian of us?
Jacob Rahme
War and capital punishment are not “murder.”
“Obama is anti-life….” True!
Romney is too? That is a lie being said by someone who really doesn’t care about ending legal abortion - because in order to end abortion one must have political authority and power to make that a reality. And voting for someone that will never get elected is a serious moral failure on a voter’s part.
kathy….Jesus did eat with tax collectors and sinners: that was for their moral edification, for their spiritual benefit and bring their minds out of darkness…I am pretty sure Jesus didn’t go there to make jokes about how many infants were murdered during herods reign….CECI..I’m pretty sure that you are not even a Catholic..if you are, you definitely need the “cathechism of the Catholic Church”...to unconfuse that thinking of yours…....
He acknowledged that the Church is flawed and human, while affirming that there absolutely is “great beauty” in her as well.
“The real reason I remain a Catholic is what the Church gives me, which is love.” “I love my Church, warts and all.”
Where is any indication that he realizes also that the Church is HOLY? Yes, full of sinners and saints in training, but One, HOLY, Catholic and Apostolic!
While I am appalled that “pro-life” identifiers vote for Obama, I am equally appalled at those who would vote for Romney. Remember, abortion is murder, war is murder (not by our soldiers, because they are doing their jobs heroically; but rather by those that declare the wars and decide to fight them), and capital punishment is murder. Obama is anti-life and Romney is anti-life. Don’t vote the two party system.
Why not ask Stephen Colbert and Father James Martin whether they believe in God’s Revelation regarding The Sanctity of human life and The Sanctity of Marriage between a husband and a wife, and then we can know whether the topic of the talk at Fordham was Catholic humor or anti Catholic humor?
In my young nursing career, when abortion was just approved, I assisted with abortions, because it was the job. My immortal soul knows murder and may God forgive me “it was murder that I participated in”. Obama’s Democratic Party is engrained in murder. What concerns me with Obama, he was quick to apologize to the Muslims’ over a video, but has no comment for Andres Serrano, who encased a crucifix in his urine. Obviously Serrano is a mentally ill person, but We the Catholic Church/Cardinal Dolan should make comments and offer prayers for Serrano’s immortal soul.
Sharon:
You seem to think that the government is the answer to health care problems, so let me offer another perspective. Last year, my pregnant wife was on Medicaid and had to have a root canal done. We were told that Medicaid doesn’t cover 1st molar root canals, so we had to pay for all of it out of pocket (around $2000). Our household income has never made it over 18, 000 per year, so how did the government help me and my poor family? Medicaid is what Obamacare is going to piggyback off of to expand government insurance, so if poor people can’t even get a first molar root canal covered now - especially when the concerned dentist fronts some of the bill at his own expense because if left unattended, it could have seriously affected my unborn child - do you really think it will solve all our health care problems? Think about it: a first molar is one of most affected teeth for this sort of procedure and the government won’t cover it. What makes you think they’ll pay for any other tooth or whatever else? What happens when grandma’s health is failing and she exhausts the cap on her government insurance? Don’t think that can’t happen - already has with both medicare and medicaid. Talk to more nurses land they’ll vouch for that (maybe not identities, but the situations therein). The government won’t pay because they don’t really care. This is about power, false charity, and control. Love cannot exist where false charity roams.
For the record, I actually *worked* in public health 10 years serving the poor in Chicago based clinics; 8 of those years with portable dental equipment. We drilled and filled the medically underserved. Not once did I ever entertain the idea that abortion was a solution to solving the problems of the poor.
CeCe, I have had it with your social rhetoric. Save it for the other totally appropriate. Christians and others of faith are at war with a culture who seeks to legitimize infanticide, enshrine gay marriage, usurp religious liberty, force men and women of conscience to finance morally reprehensible acts, and euthanise our disabled. Pardon us for not laughing, eating or drinking with our persecutors. And don’t say Jesus did this; He converted them, He didn’t appease them. As for adopting children, YES my cousin adopted two kids decades before adoption centers were forced to close because they wouldn’t place kids with adults in alternative lifestyles. In fact, I haven’t met one infertile couple who wasn’t also pro-life and adopting. Never mind them, where do *you* stand in the Catholic faith?
Response to Ceci: My wife and I tried to adopt a baby. Never happened. There’s a lot more to adopting than you’ll ever know without going through it. You have no idea. The fact of the matter is that there are enough adoptive ready couples to handle every baby that is aborted. Your argument falls flat on its face. God Bless you!
Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners…sometimes at fancy parties. I am grateful for all our priests and bishops and our Pope who are valiantly giving their lives to stand up for Jesus and the Truth. May God bless them all…and may God bless everyone posting on here. Peace.
CeCi
...and your definition of “pro-life” is what?
Has humor become a four-letter word?
WOO Hooo Sharon Fasnacht. Your comments hit the nail right on the head. As far as the other comments. Yes I am pro-life but we also need to help these women find an alternative to abortion so that these babies have a chance in life outside of the womb.
CECI…no ceci you need to get some Holy Water and DRINK IT…claiming to be prolife and Still vote for obama…you are a good reason why the Catholic Church is so screwed up…members believing what they want and doing what they want against Church teaching…DRINK THE HOLY WATER and maybe you’ll think like a Roman Catholic should, and VOTE like a Roman Catholic
Some people think that they are serious because they do not know how to laugh.
Judge not lest ye be judged. I’m not sure how having a fake political pundit speak with a priest in an entertaining fasion spun into an anti abortion argument. Using terms like “phony Christian” and “pro baby killing” isn’t a logical way to discuss any issue. It just proves that you’re missing the point of the whole lecture and aren’t interested in having a meaninful discussion about the important issues that you hold so dear. At this time, Stephen Colbert is very mainstream, and really respects religion when it is used for good, and not partisan politics. The Cardinal respects him as a Christian and a person, and obviously he isn’t the only Christian in that audotorium who does. It was an entertaining lecture, with good substance. I would recomend looking it up and watching it before condeming Colbert or Cardinal Dolan.
For so silly reason, out of curiosity I suppose, I read NCReporter’s report of this event first and then was so disappointed when I read the comments which spewed hate and disdain. I thought “typical” Fishwrap readers, have to always, always gripe and moan about how rich the church is, what a bad priest Cardinal Dolan (which they can’t bring themselves to call him anything else but Dolan) social justice this, social justice that, blah, blah , blah. I was reminded why I usually never read NCReporter. Then I came here hoping for and escape for all that anger and wrongfully pent up hatred, and look at these comments about how a priest should not dare speak before pro-choice Catholics followed by the Obama supporting prolifer and of course the typical meme of one not being truly prolife if they haven’t adopted a baby themselves. How pathetic!!! Lighten up people! I mean really, you are not going to get others to agree with your point of view especially when delivered with such judgmental vile and vitriol! Who are you to judge another as being worthy enough to call themselves Catholic? I don’t know if Colbert is pro-choice he has never spoken of him being in support of a abortion; it would be a shame if he did, but still, for others then critizing Cardinal Dolan for not being Orthodox enough, I think Venerable Archbishop Fulton J Sheen would have done this type of gig, was he not Catholic enough?
This shows what a sad state the world is in, God help us!!
I’m dismayed at those who take such critical jestures over a simple entertaining event. Come on gang. I’m as orthodox as the rest of you, but give it a break.
As for CeCi post, I both applaud and vomit your behavior—the only reason you could enjoy such a beautiful experience is because the mother chose NOT to do what you are indirectly supporting.
@CeCi Castillo
“I’m pro-life and I plan to vote for President Obama>
Define “pro-life.”
CeCi, thanks for your comments. I have been helping raise money for homeless kids in our school districts for the last 5 years. Also support a volunteer “dental” clinic for Homeless people. Affordable Health Care is NOT just about abortion and birth control. Let’s keep trying to “change hearts”,AND, show compassion for that kid with the impacted tooth, or the homeless guy with pneumonia. One law I’d like introduced tho’; a DNA on every child born identifying the father, and then 18 yrs. of child support payments. It takes two to tango so this is NOT a “women’s health issue.”
It is so disheartening to read these stories about Cardinal Dolan and other Bishops and Priests who continue to joke, have dinners with, make public appearances with, and invite them to catholic schools, etc those who want to destroy the Catholic Church. Are we fighting for religious freedom or not? Are we fighting against those who want to change Catholic teachings like contraception, abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, embryonic stem cell research, IVF, same sex “marriage” or not? Since all I see are half-hearted teachings and discipline of those who call themselves “catholic” and then espouse such things, I have to wonder. The “seamless garment”, “liberal social justice”, “PC” and “not offending people” baloney has not worked…. just reading the comment from CECi Castillo and politicians like Caroline Kennedy, Sebelius, Biden, Kerry, Cuomo, etc are proof. We need courageous, bold statements and teachings from our shepherds, not comedy or entertainment!
I recognize the “how many babies have you adopted” canard. It is no different than the pro-slavery tracts of the 19th-century that asked, “You are anti-slavery? Then how many slaves have you bought at fair market-value and freed?” The absurdity of this argument is endless. “You are against bank-robbery? How many criminals have you emptied out your checking account for so that they wouldn’t have to rob banks?” And so on.
Nice article. Great leader. Tough crowd on this comment board.
Catholic on Eastern Shore How utterly arrogant of you. What makes you think you have a one way ticket to heaven? I have a feeling you will be seeing the fires of hell a lot sooner than I will since pride is one of the seven capital sins. You’re just like the pharisees in the Bible. Now get you to confession!!
Ceci: Something else to think about Cecil: Do you realize that in Obama’s minds, those beautiful children you have adopted would have been better off aborted, since they were, after all, unplanned pregnancies? Also, I am not sure where you get the misguided idea that pro-lifers do not care about babies. Did you know that the main pro-life goal is to find homes for these “unplanned” babies? Hence the phrase “Adoption, the loving choice”. A prolife ministry will always work to help the struggling pregnant woman find a home for that child she would rather abort. In today’s day and age those little kids you hold had a 50/50 chance of being born. And under Obama’s administration there is an even greater push to promote abortion. Did it ever cross your mind that it is quite likely that those little children you hold so dear are with you BECAUSE of the pro-life message, of some pro-lifer who actually was able to change the girl’s heart to not abort those babies. The pro-life movement’s outreach extends and cares for the babies once born through many programs for children and it even extends to caring for the unwed mothers. We also happen to reach out to women (and men) who regret their abortions and are suffering mentally and physically from that “choice” to end a pregnancy. Please educate yourself on this matter. There is plenty of info on the internet. The fact that you have been able to adopt those children is a result of the tireless effort of the prolife movement. Under Obama, less and less children will be given the chance to live. That is not the kind of America we need. Please reconsider your vote in November, if anthing, for the sake of your adopted babies.
Jacob this isn’t hate, just Passion or a point of view. Why don’t you comment on the article instead of potificating to the Bloggers. We don’t need to all see things alike, what is it “they” say, ” diversity is a good thing.”?
I forgot: Thank you Cardinal Dolan for bringing some humor in a time of political tension and financial concern for Americans. May God bless you and keep you a faithful shepherd of His Church!
Wishy washy Catholics hide behind politically correct sound bytes…to be truly ProChoice is to be fully Pro Life…A reasonable thinking process will reveal the truth of what I have said…Where is the choice of the unborn…!!!
Ceci: I know you love your children. And I know you want the best for them. If that is the case then I am sure you want them to have a bright future in a great country. Just FYI: By voting for Obama you are doing quite the opposite. He is destroying this beautiful country and all it stands for. Have you seen the movie 2016? Go see it and then decide if that is the future you want for your babies. God bless you, and I pray you will see the truth before November 6th
Ceci…anyone who votes for obama and for any democrat for that matter…the party that pushes for the MURDER of the child in the womb…the party that wants marriage between members of the same sex…how ceci you can call yourself a catholic and vote obama is beyond logic….you are to stop sin in the world and not vote in people who allow sin to spread…kudos on adopting those children, but please at least vote for the party that defends life and the holiness of marriage…
What is disheartening is the wide road taken by cafeteria catholics who see faith as a relativism game show. I’m sick of celebrities.
Cici, why are you so proud to vote for a pro baby murderer and gay marriage activist? Are you that dense to understand this regime is anti-catholic? Ok so you did a good deed by adoption but that does
not give one a pass to support the overt promotion of grave sin. I find your Pro life ID pathetic and twisted.
Re Posted by CeCi Castillo on Thursday, Sep 20, 2012 4:48 PM (EST):Wow Robert such anger.
Really? Asking a priest to be a priest is anger? The rest of your stuff Ceci, is just fluff. Give yourself a prize, you got your gold star here and now, just don’t expect another in heaven. Remember that from the Bible? If not, take a look, Christ said it Himself. And please reconsider the Obama vote, supporting the pro baby killing candidate is a sin, and a big one that will keep you burning for a very long time. No joke.
I realize that some priests need to be worldly, but giving time to these boneheads only gives them credibility. I also realize that we must be Christian, but being a phony Christian to obviously placate a progressive pundit is not ideal.
These comments are very disheartening. Our Lord has never told us to hate those that do not believe, or to follow in line with one’s job and never do anything else.
Cardinal Dolan was at a gathering with the famous Stephen Colbert. That is all. This is not some kind of crazy admission from Cardinal Dolan that he is pro choice, nor is it his way of saying he is okay with it. Should I not associate with my mother because she is pro choice? The hate in these comments shows me that you all need to think about yourselves and living good, honest, and moral lives, and let others do as they wish.
God will come again to judge the living and the dead. He did not send you here to do the same.
Wow Robert such anger. Since you are pro-life I’m curious if you have ever adopted any babies who were in danger of being aborted. As a matter of fact I would like to know how many rabid pro-lifers on these boards have actually adopted children who were in danger of being aborted, took care of them, raised and educated them. I’m pro-life and I plan to vote for President Obama again and guess what I actually adopted one of this babies that were in danger of being aborted. I actually raised and educated her and she gave me 4 lovely grandchildren. I didn’t just foam at the mouth over abortion I actually did something about it and saved at lease one baby’s life by adopting her.
This is what I can’t stand about yuppies. Colbert you are obviously not Catholic. You don’t believe what the Church says, you are more concerned what your rich friends think. Leave the church. I respect people who say, “I used to be a Catholic” Cardinal Dolan you need to be more concerned about the poor faithful, than your rich friends at “glitzy gatherings” It is obvious you are more concerned with social status and approval more than defending the Church and serving the faithful.
Kierkegaard in Either/Or
Let others complain that our age is wicked; my complaint is that it is wretched, for it lacks passion. Men’s thoughts are thin and flimsy like lace; they are themselves are pitiable like lace makers. The thoughts of their hearts are too paltry to be sinful. For a worm it might be regarded as a sin to harbor such thoughts, but not for a being made in the image of God. Even their lusts are dull and sluggish, their passions sleepy. They do their duty, these shop-keeping souls, but they clip the coin a trifle. … They think that even if the Lord keeps a careful set of books, they may still cheat Him a little. Out upon them! This is the reason my soul always turns back to the Old Testament and Shakespeare. Those who speak there are at least human beings: they hate; they love; they murder their enemies, and curse their descendants throughout all generations; they sin.
sorry Cardinal Dolan….i don’t need a priest to do comedy….i need a priest to say the Mass and hear confessions….and i don’t think the little children in the womb think joking around with prochoice catholics getting ready to kill them is a laughing matter either…......in other words ACT LIKE A ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST
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