Cardinal Dolan’s New York Post Op/Ed Decries Vandalism of St. Patrick’s

Timothy Cardinal Dolan wrote an op-ed to The New York Post January 5, decrying the defacement of St. Patrick Cathedral on New Year’s Day. In a photo shown in this editorial, a protester is seen spraying “ACAB” (All cops are bastards) on what Cardinal Dolan called “America’s parish church”, after a confrontation with a police officer.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan is not just the mother church of the Archdiocese of New York, but is beloved by people of all faiths, the cardinal said.

He quotes a woman who emailed him, saying, “As a woman from The Bronx e-mailed me to say: “Cardinal Dolan, it’s time we learn from our Jewish and Islamic neighbors. A synagogue or mosque is defaced, and they are quick to condemn it. The governor and the mayor would join in. They’re right.”

Another email he quoted said, “All anarchists realize that civilization and the common good are built on a reverence for the true, the good and the beautiful. No wonder they deface the cathedral, which embodies all three.”

The cardinal went on to write, “That cathedral, in a towering way, professes that all life matters, as we are all made in God’s image and likeness.”

He said the archdiocese provides great education to thousands of African Americans through its inner-city schools, and provides ongoing support for new mothers and their children. The archdiocese also helps feed the poor, and aids those recovering from drug addiction, as well as those who need health care, Cardinal Dolan added.

He proposed that the protestors help in the Church’s efforts to help the needy, instead of criticizing it with hateful slogans.

Nonetheless, the cardinal expressed how honored he was for the Archdiocese of New York to be mocked alongside the NYPD, since its police officers dedicate their lives to serving New Yorkers just as the Church in the city does.

He recalled the words of Archbishop John Hughes, who dealt with “Know-Nothing” thugs in the 1850’s. “Dagger John”, as he was called, said to the thugs who threatened to burn down the old St. Patrick’s, “I dare you.”

While saying he was not about to follow Archbishop Hughes’ examples, he concluded, “reason, love, dialogue are the way, not guns, firebombs or spray paint. It’s what Jesus taught, too, and he faced far worse than graffiti.”