Archbishop Timothy Dolan will be at the helm of an archdiocese of 2.5 million parishioners—many of who are Hispanic. Very soon, Dolan should move to address the concerns of these followers.
One of these lingering issues is around Our Lady Queen of Angels in El Barrio. The church that hundreds of mostly Mexican and Puerto Rican residents attended was among those that Cardinal Edward Egan ordered shut in 2007. The closing was part of an effort to consolidate churches amid a financial crisis for the Roman Catholic Church.
The congregants said attendance was high at their church. They blasted the lack of a fair hearing from Egan. Protesters who remained in the church were arrested for trespassing.
Since then, under snow or sunshine, they have consistently gathered outside of their locked church to celebrate Sunday service. They even honored the wish of one of the congregants to have her funeral service at her beloved church.
We strongly encourage Archbishop Dolan to give these and other faithful parishioners the respect they deserve by meeting with them.
We also urge Dolan to give his full and consistent attention to immigration reform. The devastating separation of families through raids and deportation, and the fear that so many immigrants live with is a moral question. It is one that affects thousands of Latinos who flock to churches throughout the boroughs and surrounding counties.
Indeed, it has been recent waves of Mexican and South American immigrants that have sustained the vibrancy of many Catholic parishes. They are counting on Dolan to raise his voice on their behalf.
Dolan appears to recognize the importance of the Hispanic community. He also reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s defense of immigrant rights. We hope to see this commitment, along with an energetic engagement of Latinos, during his tenure.
Archbishop Timothy Dolan will be at the helm of an archdiocese of 2.5 million parishioners—many of who are Hispanic. Very soon, Dolan should move to address the concerns of these followers.
One of these lingering issues is around Our Lady Queen of Angels in El Barrio. The church that hundreds of mostly Mexican and Puerto Rican residents attended was among those that Cardinal Edward Egan ordered shut in 2007. The closing was part of an effort to consolidate churches amid a financial crisis for the Roman Catholic Church.
The congregants said attendance was high at their church. They blasted the lack of a fair hearing from Egan. Protesters who remained in the church were arrested for trespassing.
Since then, under snow or sunshine, they have consistently gathered outside of their locked church to celebrate Sunday service. They even honored the wish of one of the congregants to have her funeral service at her beloved church.
We strongly encourage Archbishop Dolan to give these and other faithful parishioners the respect they deserve by meeting with them.
We also urge Dolan to give his full and consistent attention to immigration reform. The devastating separation of families through raids and deportation, and the fear that so many immigrants live with is a moral question. It is one that affects thousands of Latinos who flock to churches throughout the boroughs and surrounding counties.
Indeed, it has been recent waves of Mexican and South American immigrants that have sustained the vibrancy of many Catholic parishes. They are counting on Dolan to raise his voice on their behalf.
