This evening, our Jewish neighbors begin their solemn observance of Yom Kippur, the most sacred event of their year.

I wish our Jewish friends the fullness of God’s abundant grace and mercy, and assure you of a solidarity in prayer.

Let me also thank our Jewish community for giving us all a radiant example of atonement, of acknowledging sin, asking God’s mercy, and renewing one’s deepest beliefs and values.

Your Scriptures, which we cherish with you as God’s revelation, teach eloquently of the communal nature of sin.  Yes, sin is personal, but it also affects others, with an “oil-spill” effect, that poisons…

Last weekend, I offered Mass at historic St. Peter’s Church on Barclay Street downtown.

You might recall that on 9/11 and in its aftermath, this venerable church served as a sanctuary, first-aid station, hospice, relief center, and even a mortuary. It was here that the body of Father Mychal Judge, the fire department chaplain, among the first to die in the attack, was reverently placed upon the altar.

My first 9/11 here in New York nine years ago had me at St. Peter’s as well.  Never will I forget the wise comment of the pastor at the time, Father Kevin Madigan. …

Today I joined Jennifer Fulwiler on her radio show on The Catholic Channel on Sirius XM to talk about the difficult news coming from the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report, and I wanted to share the conversation with you. Thanks to Jen for hosting me and thank you for listening.

For my statement from yesterday, click here.

Podcast (homilies): Download (39.9MB)

August 15, 2018

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Dear Member of the Family of the Archdiocese,

Yesterday’s report of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury that investigated cases of the sexual abuse of minors committed by priests and deacons once again brought forward the pain and suffering of those who experienced that abuse, and the shameful way that those in positions of authority, including bishops, responded – or failed to respond – when informed of the abuse, and in many cases permitted it to continue and new victims to be harmed. I am sure that everyone,…

Parents and teachers tell me that our high school students begin to discern their choice of a college early.

So, I have a recommendation: think about The Catholic University of America (CUA) in Washington, D.C.

I admit a bias:  I cherish my three enlightening years there as a young priest graduate student, 1979-82.  I’m a proud alumnus!

I’m also a member of the board of trustees, and have been for eight years.  So, I’ve seen CUA from the ground up, as a student, and from the roof down, as a trustee.  And I still love her!

Her value is in those three words: …

I’d like to share with you my comments from the press conference this morning for the opening of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute’s exhibition, Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.

What’s the Church doing here?

What is the Cardinal-Archbishop of New York doing here?

Well, because the Church and “the Catholic imagination,” are all about truth, goodness, and beauty…

That’s why we have great schools… to teach the truth;

That’s why we love and serve the poor – to do good;

That’s why we’re into art, poetry, music, liturgy, and, yes, even fashion… to thank God for beauty; 

I guess that’s why…

When I put pen to paper ten days or so ago, writing my column for Catholic New York, I mentioned that I was on my way to Lebanon, and would report to you upon my return. Here goes . . .

There we went, the three of us – – Bishop William Murphy, retired Bishop of Rockville Centre; the Archbishop of Vancouver, Canada, Most Reverend Michael Miller, and me – – as members of the board of The Catholic…