Vatican Observers Says He's Likely Pick for New York Spot
By Annysa Johnson
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
February 13, 2009
http://www.jsonline.com/features/religion/39600157.html
Whether or not Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan leaves Milwaukee for New York, he is likely to play an increasingly prominent role in the Catholic Church nationally and around the world, a well-respected American author who writes on the church said Friday.
"I don't think there's any question. The has the right stuff to be a leader on the national stage," said John Allen, who covers the Vatican for the National Catholic Reporter.
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| Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan |
"He has all the right qualities to be a point of reference much broader than the boundaries of whatever diocese he's in."
Speculation that Pope Benedict XVI would soon name Dolan to succeed Cardinal Edward M. Egan as archbishop of New York gained momentum Friday after an Italian journalist reputed to have a good track record on such matters reported that Dolan was the pick.
Dolan has been unavailable for comment since rumors about his imminent appointment began circulating on a conservative Web site last week. Spokeswoman Julie Wolf said Dolan was on vacation beginning Friday through Feb. 23, and that the archdiocese has not been notified of any appointment.
"Until we hear from the Holy Father, it remains speculation," she said Friday.
An article in Friday's edition of the Italian daily Il Riformista reported that the Vatican would announce the appointment shortly, echoing the report on the conservative site that was picked up last week by The New York Times.
A Missouri native, Dolan, 59, came to Milwaukee from St. Louis in 2002. He has been mentioned repeatedly in recent years as a successor to Egan, who under Vatican rules had to submit his name for resignation when he turned 75 in 2007.
Considered factors in Dolan's favor are his gregarious and mediagenic personality; his experience as rector of the Pontifical North American College, an elite seminary in Rome; and his close association with Philadelphia Cardinal Justin Rigali, who sits on the body that would recommend Egan's successor.
On the other hand, the New York position, one of the church's most prominent, has traditionally gone to someone with ties to New York or the East Coast.
The speculation about Dolan has been consistent enough that Allen has written his own story in case Milwaukee's archbishop is tapped.
"But I wouldn't take it to the bank," said Allen, who's seen too many false alarms over the years.
"This is very serious, but you don't want to be predicting something that isn't going to happen."
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