New York City, N.Y., Feb 23, 2009 / 18:01 pm
Archbishop of Milwaukee Timothy Dolan, whose appointment to become Archbishop of New York was announced on Monday, has commented on his appointment in a letter to the Catholics of Milwaukee and at a New York City press conference. Saying it will be “very tough” to leave Milwaukee, he expressed hopes and sought prayers for his future “full of hope” in New York.
Noting that there had been “a lot of speculation” about his move to New York, Archbishop Dolan in his Monday letter reported he had responded to these rumors by saying “I don’t know anything about it. I want to stay right here in Milwaukee.”
“I was not fibbing,” he explained. “It was only recently that I was told of this appointment. It’s hardly a position one applies for! I was surprised, and still am.”
He said he was not asked if he would accept the position, but simply informed of Pope Benedict XVI’s decision by the Papal Nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Pietro Sambi.