In a poignant yet historical moment, the Catholic community of New York City experienced a significant transition as Timothy Cardinal Dolan delivered his final Mass at the iconic St. Patrick's Cathedral. The service marked the culmination of his tenure as the leader of the Archdiocese of New York, a role he has held since 2009. The cathedral was filled to capacity as the faithful gathered to bid farewell to a figure known not only for his leadership but also for his engaging personality.
As reported by ABC7 New York, Dolan, who turned 75 last year, conducted his last ceremonial duties before an emotional congregation. Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age for Catholic bishops, he will pass the baton to Bishop Ronald Hicks from Illinois, appointed by Pope Leo XIV. Hicks' official installment is scheduled for this coming Friday.
During his last procession down the aisle of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Cardinal Dolan was greeted with affection, stopping for hugs and expressions of gratitude from churchgoers. "Praise be Jesus Christ. We're here for him. We're here for him, not for me, but hear me say I sure love you. Thank you very much and God bless," Dolan addressed the congregants, in a statement obtained by CBS News New York.
Despite stepping down as archbishop, Cardinal Dolan has made it clear that his relationship with the city is not concluding. "I'm thinking of when like a dad or a grandpa retires from his job, okay? Well, he never retires from being a dad or a grandpa, and this kid doesn't retire from being a spiritual father and I look forward to it," Dolan told CBS News New York. In fact, he has already accepted invitations to lead Masses throughout the Archdiocese of New York.
Parishioners shared their reflections on Dolan's departure, celebrating his unique approach to service and leadership. Marc Fagan, from the Upper East Side, hailed him as, "Just a nice guy, you know? A lot of good humor. He's a New York kind of guy." Dolan's influence, marked by his joviality and charisma, has certainly left an indelible mark on the hearts of many in the NYC Catholic community, as per CBS News New York.
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