Archbishop Timothy Dolan, newly installed as the head of the NY Archdiocese, gave his first mass yesterday at St. Patrick's Cathedral. While the NY Times found he offered "only indirect signs of the activist role he has hinted he will take as an advocate of the church’s agenda in the public sphere" (have faith and "trust in what cannot be seen," not just “on empirical, scientific evidence"), some parishioners are pleased with Dolan, with one telling the paper, "His focus is on the Catholic point of view and if he keeps doing that he’s going to bring a lot of enthusiasm to the church." Another told the Daily News, "I'm very much taken in by how warm he is - he has an energy about him." Dolan was also not above joking about the Yankees' 22-4 loss to the Indians on Saturday or thanking the crowd, "I'm still your baby archbishop and my heart is so very, very grateful." more ›

Around 6 p.m., if you see a man of the cloth (followed by the press) knocking on the doors of St. Patrick's Cathedral, don't be alarmed—it'll just be the new leader of the New York Archdiocese. Archbishop Timothy Dolan will be symbolically asking New York's Roman Catholic community to accept him. more ›

Edward Cardinal Egan told worshippers at St. Patrick's Cathedral yesterday, "We are here for a passing moment of eternity." The 77-year-old was discussing the world's problems during his final Easter Sunday mass as head of the New York Archdiocese, "Life can appear unfair and pointless, but Easter gives meaning to the reality of life." more ›

Before a service at St. Patrick's Cathedral yesterday, Edward Cardinal Egan told reporters, "I'm feeling pretty good but not as good as I should be. To miss Holy Thursday and Good Friday would be a heavy cross to bear. I decided not to bear that one if I didn't have to." The 77-year-old head of the NY Archdiocese had been hospitalized for a few days starting last Saturday for stomach pains (which the NY Times says was a "gastrointestinal virus") and will need surgery to have a pacemaker implanted. But Egan was upbeat and said he would lead services today, tomorrow and Easter Sunday, which will then lead into next week when his successor, Archbishop Timothy Dolan, will be installed. One NJ woman who attended the service told the Times, "It’s kind of incredible he was able to make it. I have a lot of respect for his determination." more ›

Edward Cardinal Egan, who was hospitalized for a few days after suffering stomach pains, is apparently feeling much better: He is planning on celebrating Holy Thursday mass today, as well as Good Friday masses and Easter Sunday masses, at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Egan is retiring next week, and Archbishop Timothy Dolan is being installed as his replacement on April 15. The NY Archdiocese also commented about Egan's need for a pacemaker: "Also still to be determined is the date for the implant of a pacemaker. Because this is not an emergency situation, the doctors have allowed for some flexibility in the scheduling of the procedure." more ›

It's a $20 million miracle for an East Village church slated for demolition! An anonymous donor has given a multi-million donation to the struggling parish and its school: There's $10 million for the restoration of the the church, $2 million for a parish endowment and $8 million to support St. Brigid's school and other Catholic schools. more ›

Now that Pope Benedict XVI has left NYC, it's time to pay the NYPD overtime bills. According to the NYPD, the State Department will reimburse the city for 50-60% of the costs associated with making sure the pope was safe throughout his 3 days in the city. more ›

Now that he has welcomed Pope Benedict XVI to NYC, the NY Times speculates that Cardinal Edward Egan could retire soon. Egan, the head of the powerful NY Archdiocese, presented his resignation letter last year (required by Vatican Law of all archbishops who turn 75). more ›

This afternoon, Pope Benedict's Shepherd One will touch down at Andrews Air Force Base, where the Pontiff will be greeted by President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. He won't be giving any public statements, but will have various meetings on his 81st birthday eve. more ›