Off to a great start

Archbishop Timothy Dolan, the newly appointed Archbishop of New York, is right now taking questions from the press and is deftly handling inquiries about everything from the fear of school closings to personal heroes to support for priests to the New York Yankees. As a New Yorker, and one who lived in and worked for the Archdiocese of New York for many years, I am thrilled for folks downstate. 

He has professed his unequivocal support for the priests, saying he is there to serve them. He reassured the interfaith community that he wants to continue the tradition of working closely with them. Questioned about the Obama administration's differing views on life issues, the archbishop referred back to the language of Vatican II, saying that "engagement" is key, but he made it clear that he, like his predecessors, will be a strong voice for the unborn. He also broke to speak briefly in Spanish to New York's large Latin American community.

Cardinal Edward Egan told the press conference that he plans to take up residence at a parish rectory in the archdiocese and celebrate Masses and do confirmations. To which Archbishop Dolan responded, "You're hired."

Updates will continue...