During his years in Milwaukee, the Archbishop-elect of New York earned a reputation of a “fish-and-chips type of man" –as he described himself when appointed to Milwaukee, - capable of building a good relationship with the priests of the diocese, while at the same time restoring a sense of authority and fidelity to the teachings of the Church.
In January of 2004—right in the middle of the sexual abuse crisis—Archbishop Dolan created a "Clergy sexual abuse mediation system" that was aimed at dealing "openly, compassionately and creatively with victims/survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy members."
"While this system clearly will function outside the structure of the Catholic Church, I still will be involved with victims/survivors who wish to meet with me. Hearing from victims/survivors is not only important for their recovery from this tragedy, but it is important for me as the leader of the Catholic Church of southeastern Wisconsin," Dolan said in 2004.
Eager to use mass media for the new evangelization, Archbishop Dolan has also been the host of a TV program that explains Catholic beliefs and teachings and is sponsored by Milwaukee's Catholic Knights. The second series of the 30-minute television program entitled "Living Our Faith” began on February 14, 2009.
Despite the fact that he is set to depart Milwaukee for his new mission in New York, the remaining eight episodes will air at noon every Saturday until April 11, at which time the name of his successor will probably be already known.
Archbishop Dolan will arrive to New York with the reputation of a man that is comfortable with the press and has a passion for Catholic education. Also of note is his expertise in working with seminaries. According to his official biography posted on the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's website, "the work of the Archbishop in the area of seminary education has influenced the life and ministry of a great number of priests of the new millennium."
Bishop Robert Morlino, of Madison, Wisconsin, reacted saying that “while the State of Wisconsin is loosing an excellent pastor, I cannot react to the news of today’s appointment with anything but joy! Archbishop Timothy Dolan, who I’ve been blessed to know for many years – as rector of the North American College, Auxiliary-Bishop of Saint Louis and as my own metropolitan archbishop – is a man dedicated, without question, to the service of Christ and His Church.”