I met Cardinal Dolan last night and this is what I said to him

[CB_Catholic]

Probably the most embarrassing moment for me was when my daughter was confirmed 25 years ago. When the Bishop confirmed her, she was so happy that she threw herself at him and gave him a huge hug! I wanted to slink out of the church. But what did the Bishop do? After regaining his composure he gave her a huge hug back!

She didn’t see anything improper in her action and blamed it on the Holy Spirit.

 

[floresco]

The last time that I encountered a bishop, I started thinking about the huge responsibilities and pressures that he faced every day. I was overwhelmed by my feelings and tears came to my eyes. I think that I may have gasped out a “thank you” but I was not capable of coherent speech.

And that was not even a bishop that I especially liked.

 

[Ohana]

Finally, the night had come to meet Timothy Cardinal Dolan! For over a month, I’ve been ecstatic about getting to meet him at the Catholic Charities of Orange County dinner in New York held last night. How excited I was able to approach him and say a few words!

And guess what comes out of my mouth? “Uh… Hi!” What was I thinking!!! :banghead:

I didn’t say “What an honor to meet you, your Eminence”; not “May God bless you!”; not “We love you!” Anything would have been better than my momentary, yet complete lack of knowledge of the entire English language!

He smiled so lovingly and shook my hand! I’m still so excited to have had a chance to shake his hand and be in the same room! May God bless Cardinal Dolan!

Lesson learned: Rehearse your lines!! Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. Write in on your hand if you have to!

+JMJ+

Yikes, I think you are my sister from another mother!!!

 

[Mitro]

So glad you got to meet Cardinal Dolan

I wonder sometimes though if this over-exemplifying of Bishops and Priests errs a little on the side of idolatry. Especially since Paul mentions in 1 Timothy 1:15:

This [is] a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

If our blessed Saint Paul was the chief of sinners, what on Earth does that make us?!

We are all one in Christ right? Let’s respect and admire homeless people begging on the street in the same way we respect and admire Cardinal Dolan. Only God is worthy of glory and honor.

Just my two cents.

Your Brother,

Mitro

 

[floresco]

So glad you got to meet Cardinal Dolan

I wonder sometimes though if this over-exemplifying of Bishops and Priests errs a little on the side of idolatry.

We are all one in Christ right? Let’s respect and admire homeless people begging on the street in the same way we respect and admire Cardinal Dolan. Only God is worthy of glory and honor.

Westerners, especially in North America, are more likely to have the opposite problem. Our heads are too full of “democracy” to grasp what hierarchy is or to give respect to our betters. I am not the equal of a prince of the Church and it is good for me to realize it.

There is no reason to set this in opposition to love of the poor in whom we are to see Christ Himself. Yes, we honour them too, but for a different reason. Not because everybody is the same as everybody else.

 

[ProVobis]

Many (over 50) years ago I was the thurifer at a confirmation presided over by the Cardinal of Chicago back then. (It was Cardinal Meyer who later played a prominent role at Vatican II.) I was shaking but managed to do okay. Afterwards we took our turns kissing his ring. What I remember most, however, was that his car had the Illinois license plate “1,” which I thought placed the utmost respect for the Archbishop of Chicago, ahead of the governor and mayor.

 

[Mitro]

I am not the equal of a prince of the Church and it is good for me to realize it.

There is no reason to set this in opposition to love of the poor in whom we are to see Christ Himself. Yes, we honour them too, but for a different reason. Not because everybody is the same as everybody else.

With all due respect brother/sister, this worries me in light of:
Galatians 3:28:

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 20:16:

So the last will be first, and the first last.

Romans 3:23:

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Just to reiterate, I do think such devotion errs on the side of idolatry. We strive to be more and more like men when we forget that they are miserable sinners like the rest of us. It is the risen Christ we strive to be like.

ProVobis:

which I thought placed the utmost respect for the Archbishop of Chicago, ahead of the governor and mayor.

But again, the story of Daniel is a perfect example that God is still the king and chief of all nations. I see that the Archbishop may represent God’s sovereignty, but as we see in the book of Daniel this time and time again leads into idolatry.

Your Brother,

Mitro

 

[floresco]

Just to reiterate, I do think such devotion errs on the side of idolatry. We strive to be more and more like men when we forget that they are miserable sinners like the rest of us. It is the risen Christ we strive to be like.

Giving respect to people in positions of authority is nothing like idolatry. It is an excellent opportunity to develop humility which you are missing out on by seeing yourself as just as good as everyone else.

 

[Mitro]

Giving respect to people in positions of authority is nothing like idolatry. It is an excellent opportunity to develop humility which you are missing out on by seeing yourself as just as good as everyone else.

Oh absolutely. But there’s a line between showing respect and feeling so inferior that you can hardly stand or forget what to say. It to me seems as if the level of respect has gone from appropriate to wordy glory (license plate issue being one example). In spite of…
John 17:16:

They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

Remember that the three holy youths in Daniel were told to swear allegiance to the King, by bowing before his statue, and they refused to because their allegiance was with God alone.

 

[floresco]

Oh absolutely. But there’s a line between showing respect and feeling so inferior that you can hardly stand or forget what to say. It to me seems as if the level of respect has gone from appropriate to wordy glory (license plate issue being one example).

I do not think that anyone described feeling that. I know that I did not. I was moved by the thought of the great burden that bishops carry.

A Cardinal is a prince of the Church. A bishop has the fullness of the Sacrament of Orders. There would be something really wrong with me if I were telling myself that I am just as good as these men. They are my superiors.

Remember that the three holy youths in Daniel were told to swear allegiance to the King, by bowing before his statue, and they refused to because their allegiance was with God alone.

The situation is in no way analogous. To honour and respect men who represent God because they represent God is not idolatry. It is not putting a creature in the place of the Creator. I see that you are not a Catholic and this may be why you are having trouble understanding these concepts. You might not have the background to understand what assumptions underlie the discussion.

 

[jmj777]

Mitro: I do not worship Cardinal Dolan. I have the utmost respect for him as an apostolic successor in the Church. I am wholeheartedly aware that Cardinal Dolan has received “the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders, which integrates him into the episcopal college and makes him the visible head of the particular Church entrusted to him. As successors of the apostles and members of the college, the bishops share in the apostolic responsibility and mission of the whole Church under the authority of the Pope, successor of St. Peter.” Catechism of the Catholic Church (1594).

I am, but a member of the flock, adoring God and guided by the men He put into such positions from the very beginning of the Church – the apostles. Remember that the Catholic Church is One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic.

Peace be with you.

+JMJ+