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PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. Many local clergy in Mount Pleasant are pleased with the announcement that Reverend Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, will be elevated to the dignity of Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI of the Catholic Church.
Several people that I know of in the church that have interacted with Archbishop Dolan have spoken very highly of him so Im very optimistic that he will do great things for the church, said Pastor Steve Phillips of the United Methodist Church in Pleasantville.
The 61-year-old Dolan was ordained to Priesthood in 1976. Before being named Archbishop of New York in 2009, Dolan served as the Archbishop of Milwaukee. In 2010, Dolan was elected president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
In a statement released Friday, Dolan said being named a Cardinal was about more than just him.
Yes, I am honored, humbled, and grateful, but lets be frank this is not about Timothy Dolan, Dolan said in a press release. This is an honor from the Holy Father to the Archdiocese of New York, and to all our cherished friends and neighbors who call this great community home.
Phillips said Dolan will now be a part of the selection process for a new Pope in the future, which is a great accomplishment for the greater New York area.
Its just a great representation of the strong ties this religion has in this region and state and it will be great to have someone close to home involved in that selection process, Phillips said.
Father Martin Njenga of Holy Rosary Church in Hawthorne echoed Phillips beliefs on Dolan and is optimistic about his future work with the church.
Ive only heard good things about him, that he is a very jovial and joyful man and I think hell do a great job in this position, Njenga said.
Dolan will be elevated to his new position of Cardinal in a Consistory to be held on February 18.
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