Cardinal Dolan has extended an invitation to President Obama to the annual Al Smith dinner in New York City

What is Cardinal Dolan Up To?

by Charlie Spiering

According to reports, Dolan has extended an invitation to President Obama to the annual Al Smith dinner in New York City. The president, reportedly, has accepted.

Historically, the dinner is one of the most prestigious political events in New York City particularly during a presidential election year and candidates from both parties usually attend.Known for its lighthearted political speeches, the major speakers deliver a series of self-deprecating jokes while ribbing their opponent at the same time. In October 2008, Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama both attended the dinner, accepting an invitation by Cardinal Egan of New York. During the dinner, Cardinal Eagan expressed his “delight” that Obama and McCain had attended, called them “outstanding exemplary Americans.”

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Dolan is known for his sense of humor, which often characterizes his public remarks. “What weighs on me the most,” Dolan explained in an interview in 2011, “is the caricature of the Catholic Church as crabby, nay-saying, down in the dumps, discouraging, on the run. And I’m thinking if there is anything that should be upbeat, affirming, positive, joyful, it should be people of faith.”

Perhaps Dolan can be both gracious and critical while speaking about the president.  The end result may teach Americans a significant lesson just before the presidential election.

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