Most Reverend Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York

The Most Reverend Timothy Michael Dolan was installed as the 10th Archbishop of New York at 2:34 pm on April 15, 2009.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) - With words like "newly appointed" and "next" in the rear-view mirror, the Most Reverend Timothy Dolan is now officially at the helm of the Archdiocese of New York as the thirteenth bishop and tenth archbishop to be installed.

As of 2:34 pm Eastern time, he was the chief pastor of 2.5 million Catholics in over 400 parishes located in a geographic area covering 4, 683 square miles. He has also moved to a life with a fixed spotlight on him as an example and spokesman for American Catholics.

At the installation which preceded the mass, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the Papal Nuncio, first talked about the setting for the service, St. Patrick's Cathedral, using words spoken by Pope Benedict during his visit to the Cathedral one year ago and then addressed the new prelate:

"Your Excellency, Archbishop Dolan, today the people of God in this vast metropolitan see rejoice as you are solemnly installed as the 10th archbishop of New York. Indeed, we offer you our heartfelt congratulations and prayerful best wishes. We are confident that you will fulfill, you will faithfully teach, sanctify and govern in the name of the crucified risen Lord, Jesus Christ, and that in so doing, you will serve well your priests, deacons, religious and faithful. Standing with them, in their joys and in their hopes, in their griefs and in their anxieties, helping them to see all things with the eyes of faith."

Following his remarks, the Archbishop thanked Edward Cardinal Egan for his years of faithful service, which brought a standing ovation for the retiring leader.

He then read the letter of appointment from February 23rd and presented it to Msgr. William Belford, chancellor of the archdiocese.

The chancellor displayed it to those assembled and then stood over it, signing it with a pen and notarized it. As he did the entire Cathedral erupted in spontaneous applause.

The installation Mass took place in a packed St. Patrick's Cathedral where the mood was solemn but punctuated with laughter and applause. These will, most likely characterize the leadership of the new prelate.

Archbishop Dolan delivered the homily in his characteristically personal style. His words were punctuated by laughter, especially when he mentioned that he was concerned whether his mother would be in attendance as she heard there was a sale at Macy's.

The sermon included references to the heroism of New York Catholics during the 9-11 tragedy, an openness to ecumenical relationships with other Christians and other religions, as well as a clear message that he embraced the fullness of the Church's faith and social teachings that would be an earmark of his leadership.

At the end of his homily, he referred to the Easter visitation of the Lord with the travelers on the road to Emmaus and invited those present to join him on a similar journey with Jesus there in New York.

This new responsibility will be quite an adjustment from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, but the consensus is that Archbishop Timothy Dolan is more than equal to the task.

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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.

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