Charlotte, N.C., Sep 7, 2012 / 10:37 am
Cardinal Timothy Dolan's final benediction at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday night called for blessings on the delegates, asked God for the "courage" to defend life and prayed for the renewal of "a profound respect for religious liberty."
"Bless all here present, and all across this great land, who work hard for the day when a greater portion of your justice, and a more ample measure of your care for the poor and suffering, may prevail in these United States," the Archbishop of New York said Sept. 6. "Help us to see that a society's greatness is found above all in the respect it shows for the weakest and neediest among us."
At the close of a convention where many speakers had stressed support for legalized abortion, the cardinal prayed that God bless "those waiting to be born," as well as the sick and the elderly.
Cardinal Dolan also touched on the controversy caused by the Obama administration issuing a rule that will require many Catholic institutions and secular businesses to pay for health plans that cover contraception, sterilization and abortion-causing drug, regardless of their beliefs.