In homily, Archbishop Timothy Dolan rails against sexual immorality
Cardinal-to-be encourages flock to follow their moral compass
By Lore Croghan / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Sunday, January 15 2012
AP/MTV
Archbishop and Cardinal-to-be Timothy Dolan ‘Shore’ got his congregation’s attention railing against pop culture’s message about sex.
DAVID HANDSCHUH/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Archbishop Timothy Dolan celebrated Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Sunday and encouraged his congregation to take a stand against sexual immorality.
New York's cardinal-to-be delivered a no-holds-barred sermon on morality Sunday, telling his flock to stand firm against popular culture’s message that sex outside marriage is okay.
“The one who, with God’s grace and mercy, tries his or her best to be pure and chaste is often thought of not as a hero, not a saint, but as a freak in our culture today,” Archbishop Timothy Dolan said at St. Patrick’s.
“The biblical teaching on sexual responsibility is countercultural,” he continued, hailing those who stay true to their moral compass.
“Anyone who tries his or her best to live it can expect a lot of temptation and even ridicule and criticism.”
The fire-and-brimstone homily came as Dolan readies to be installed as a cardinal at a Feb. 18 ceremony in Rome.
Practicing Catholics are wrongly regarded as holier than thou — even outcasts — for following church teachings on sex, he said.
Dolan, whose promotion was announced earlier this month, was frank launching into a condemnation of extra-marital sex.
“I’m going to preach about sex,” he declared.
“Now I’ve got your attention.”
Dolan linked “sexual immorality” with society’s ills — violence, sex crimes, disease and broken families — and called on priests to do a better job of encouraging the sexually virtuous.
“The church has at times in the past, sadly, come across as as some naysaying, puritanical nag, always giving a big ‘No, no, no’ to one of life’s greatest joys,” he said.
But modern society often reduces sex to “animal rutting” or its “most popular contact sport,” he said.
He didn’t mention any one show or star by name, but Dolan clearly seemed to be targeting the bedhopping that’s become regular fare on TV and reality shows like “Jersey Shore.”
“Truth be told, it is chastity and purity that liberates us, while immorality enslaves us,” he said.
His message resonated with churchgoers at St. Patrick’s.
“I know how difficult it can be for Catholics to live their faith fully,” said Andy Ferraro, 38, a former New Yorker who now lives in Washington.
“If you have a desire to be more devout, there could be friends or family who mock or don’t understand.”
As cardinal, Dolan will be a moral compass for Catholics young and old, he thinks.
“He can really communicate what our religion is about and help us stay focused,” Ferraro said.
Ed Murphy, 64, of South Bound Brook, N.J., also believes Dolan knows how to deliver the key message of Catholicism.
“He says what’s important, but he says it in a nice way,” Murphy said.
“The one who, with God’s grace and mercy, tries his or her best to be pure and chaste is often thought of not as a hero, not a saint, but as a freak in our culture today,” Archbishop Timothy Dolan said at St. Patrick’s.
“The biblical teaching on sexual responsibility is countercultural,” he continued, hailing those who stay true to their moral compass.
“Anyone who tries his or her best to live it can expect a lot of temptation and even ridicule and criticism.”
The fire-and-brimstone homily came as Dolan readies to be installed as a cardinal at a Feb. 18 ceremony in Rome.
Practicing Catholics are wrongly regarded as holier than thou — even outcasts — for following church teachings on sex, he said.
Dolan, whose promotion was announced earlier this month, was frank launching into a condemnation of extra-marital sex.
“I’m going to preach about sex,” he declared.
“Now I’ve got your attention.”
Dolan linked “sexual immorality” with society’s ills — violence, sex crimes, disease and broken families — and called on priests to do a better job of encouraging the sexually virtuous.
“The church has at times in the past, sadly, come across as as some naysaying, puritanical nag, always giving a big ‘No, no, no’ to one of life’s greatest joys,” he said.
But modern society often reduces sex to “animal rutting” or its “most popular contact sport,” he said.
He didn’t mention any one show or star by name, but Dolan clearly seemed to be targeting the bedhopping that’s become regular fare on TV and reality shows like “Jersey Shore.”
“Truth be told, it is chastity and purity that liberates us, while immorality enslaves us,” he said.
His message resonated with churchgoers at St. Patrick’s.
“I know how difficult it can be for Catholics to live their faith fully,” said Andy Ferraro, 38, a former New Yorker who now lives in Washington.
“If you have a desire to be more devout, there could be friends or family who mock or don’t understand.”
As cardinal, Dolan will be a moral compass for Catholics young and old, he thinks.
“He can really communicate what our religion is about and help us stay focused,” Ferraro said.
Ed Murphy, 64, of South Bound Brook, N.J., also believes Dolan knows how to deliver the key message of Catholicism.
“He says what’s important, but he says it in a nice way,” Murphy said.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/homily-archbishop-timothy-dolan-rails-sexual-immorality-article-1.1006700#ixzz1jg00SSmj
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