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Prior to his entry into the Catholic Church, Randy Sly had the opportunity to visit Archbishop Timothy Dolan when still a bishop in the Charismatic Episcopal Church.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) – In March 2006 we knocked on the door of the bishop’s residence in Milwaukee and waited to meet a man we knew only by his wonderful reputation – Archbishop Timothy Dolan. I was an archbishop in the Charismatic Episcopal Church at the time.

Bishop Philip Zampino, and I had been invited to be his guest for a few days through the gracious initiative of the Bishop Zampino’s son, David, who knew him.

We were soon greeted by the nun who cooked for the archbishop and undertook other duties, such as chief greeter, when needed. She escorted us into the sitting room where we waited.

Soon the room was filled with a large smile accompanied by the man who wore it. Archbishop Dolan greeted us as though we were old friends and shared his joy that we were able to come for a visit.

His first desire was to hear our stories. He wanted to know more about the CEC and how each of us came to be a part of the denomination. He fastened his gaze on us and listened attentively, interspersing our testimonies with questions and encouraging comments.

That evening still carries strong memories as we sat around his dinner table, eating our meal together while listening to stories of his times at the North American College in Rome, encounters with His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, and the interesting people who made the college their temporary home while visiting the Vatican.

As we walked back to our room at the seminary, both of us were still basking in the warmth of fellowship accorded us by a man who had introduced himself to us by saying, “Hi! I’m Timothy!”

Being bishops not in communion with Rome, we felt very honored that he had accorded us such a warm welcome. And the more we got to know him, the more we realized this was to be expected from a man who truly exuded the love of Christ in abundance.

That’s the other impression I took away from our meetings with the Archbishop. He really loved the Lord Jesus, plain and simple. The Lord was his life and his love. His Pauline-like commitment really came through his words and actions. For him, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

During the visit we talked together and prayed together. His pastor’s heart was evident as was the burden he carried for his churches and flock. He loved the Catholic faith and was always passionate when he talked about it.

I remember talking to someone recently who knew the archbishop. He said, “He’s the kind of bishop who would call you in to correct you for something you had done wrong and when you left you thanked him for the wonderful meeting.”

The time we spent with him over those few days flew by. I remember leaving Milwaukee and thinking, “you just know that there is greatness in this man.”

We have kept in contact over the past few years. In fact, he was one of the first people I called when my wife and I came to the decision that we would be coming into full communion with the Catholic Church.

“Hallelujah!” he shouted on the other end of the phone. “I wish I could be there but I already have commitments that will keep me from attending. But, be assured of my prayers that day for you.” And we were.

I kept in contact with him since that visit. He was a busy man. In addition to his work in providing dynamic leadership to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, he was a popular speaker and was involved in a variety of important roles in the Church.

In recent years we had a “changing of the guard” near my home in Northern Virginia – in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and Washington, DC. Both times I had wondered if the Pope was going to call upon Archbishop Dolan to serve in that place.

When I heard that Cardinal Egan was retiring in New York, it came as no surprise that Pope Benedict would appoint the Most Revered Timothy Dolan to the position. Because you just knew there was greatness in this man

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Randy Sly is the Associate Editor of Catholic Online. After serving in ministry for decades including his service as an Archbishop in the Charismatic Episcopal Church, Randy and his wife Sandy came into full communion with the Catholic Church several years ago.