Although Archbishop Timothy Dolan has only been the pastor of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee since 2002, in that time he has had a tremendous impact on Catholics and non-Catholics alike throughout the greater Milwaukee community. For those who have not had the privilege of meeting Archbishop Dolan, the following comments on his demeanor and his accomplishments will not do him justice.

Archbishop Dolan came to Milwaukee after demoralizing revelations about former Milwaukee Archbishop Rembert Weakland’s inappropriate sexual activity and efforts to keep his actions secret. In the midst of this scandal, Dolan brought a boisterous Irish personality to the Archdiocese, full of energy and orthodoxy. However, far from raising his crosier (the staff that the bishop holds) against those who would dissent from Catholic orthodoxy, Dolan employed his personable and persuasive character to effect change.

Aside from being pastoral, Dolan also has proven to be a capable administrator, for which his experience as the rector at the Pontifical North American College prepared him. It definitely has not been easy, especially considering the recent financial burdens of the Archdiocese due to sexual abuse settlements. Just last year, Dolan managed to escape a multi-million dollar deficit by consolidating Archdiocesan offices and staff. In addition, his presence and candor have allowed him to successfully navigate the secular media, making him well liked by many.

While New York is certainly a larger and more diverse Catholic community than Milwaukee, Dolan will surely leave a positive impact out East, just as he has done here in the Midwest. His staunch opposition to abortion and his adherence to Catholic orthodoxy are essential for such a prominent and visible position such as the Archdiocese of New York. Of course, as he has done in Milwaukee, Dolan will undoubtedly express these positions gently and with understanding.

Archbishop Dolan has raised the level of religious morale in Milwaukee. His larger than life personality and perennially happy demeanor are magnetic, and his uncanny ability to remember names helps him build a strong relationship with Catholics in his flock. Milwaukee will miss Dolan’s style and personality, which has captivated many and renewed Catholic spirituality here in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

As his Excellency makes this transition to what is arguably the most visible diocese in the nation, there is little doubt in this writer’s mind that he will be welcomed and successful.
Thank you Archbishop Dolan for your leadership and inspiration in the short time you’ve been with us. You will be greatly missed.

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Since 2002, Timothy M. Dolan has led the Milwaukee Archdiocese as Archbishop. His tenure included dealing with a wide array of priest abuse scandals, a petition by local priests to make clerical celibacy optional and the collateral damage left behind by former Archbishop Rembert Weakland. By all accounts, if Dolan were to get a report card at the end of every year, it would certainly include straight A’s.

On Monday, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Archbishop Timothy Dolan as the new Archbishop of New York. This private Vatican information was first reported by well-connected Italian journalist Paolo Rodari, who writes for the Vatican Watch periodical Il Reformista.

For those not in the loop, New York is the United States’ most important Archdiocese, according to the Catholic News Agency.
With regards to political hierarchy, New York, along with the Bishopric of Washington D.C., holds the most influence on Capitol Hill. This move reassertes the importance of the United States Catholic Bishops in a time of constant change throughout both the political and economic realms of the country.

Critics of the move state that Dolan is not one to take a hard line and stand up against the anti-Catholic, anti-conservative sentiment given off by the current presidential administration and others such as Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Well known for his dislike of Archbishop Dolan, Marquette Theology professor Dan Maguire has been quick to criticize the appointment. Maguire, who is banned from speaking in all parishes in the Milwaukee Archdiocese, was quoted in the New York Times on Tuesday,
criticizing the Church’s failure to listen to Theologians.

However, those who back the appointment of Archbishop Dolan say that he would bring the “soft touch” of a “pastoral leader,” according to the Catholic News Agency. Dolan’s attention to detail and hard line conservative stances are viewed as great counter-culture counters to the anti-Catholic policies of the current administration.

According to Rodari, Archbishop Henry Mansell of Hartford, Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta, Archbishop John Myers of Newark and Archbishop Roberto Gonzalez Nieves of San Juan, Puerto Rico, were all being considered for the appointment.
Whatever happens, Archbishop Dolan’s great legacy in Milwaukee, both as pastoral leader and man of the people, will never be forgotten. His contributions to the Archdioceses of Milwaukee and St. Louis have prepared him well for New York, and his down-to-earth style make him a great candidate for any Bishopric.

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Marquette’s Catholic community is, in many respects, self contained; very few students are acutely aware of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s recent financial struggles. While many Marquette students do not call Milwaukee home, it might concern some that the greater Milwaukee Catholic community of which Marquette is a part is facing serious financial crisis. The Archdiocese is projecting a multi-million dollar budget shortfall, due primarily to sex-abuse lawsuit settlements. On April 7 the Archdiocese released a massive reorganization of its central offices, which included the merging of several offices and programs, as well as the elimination of multiple positions.

Steve Blaha, the coordinator of faith formation programs in University Ministry also serves on the Vision 21 committee, an advisory group of the Archdiocese. On the Archdiocese’s recent financial challenges Blaha poignantly commented that the Archdiocese has “cut the fat, and is now starting to cut the muscle.” Blaha points out that the effects of reorganization disseminate down to the parish level, affecting how the ministries of individual parishes operate, and placing a larger burden on parish ministers and staff.

Jerry Topczewski, the chief of staff of Archbishop Dolan, stressed that the purpose of the restructuring was not to eliminate programs and services. Rather, the aim of the restructuring was to save as much money as possible, while preserving core ministries and outreach programs. “All ministries are important,” Topczewski notes. He highlights that the Archdiocese is not like a corporation that can arbitrarily cut costs, saying, “The services that are used the least are some of the most important. The marginalized are the ones that need us the most.”

While this restructuring does not directly affect Marquette, there are ways that Marquette students can assist the Archdiocese as it reshapes itself in these times of financial struggle. Students can, of course, donate financial assistance through The Catholic Stewardship Appeal, which is the primary fundraising operation of the Archdiocese. One-hundred percent of the money donated to the Stewardship Appeal goes directly to supporting ministries like Catholic Charities and campus ministry programs at UW-Milwaukee and Whitewater.

A second, more active, way that Marquette students can help is by donating their time and skills. Both Topczewski and Blaha emphasize that in the wake of this restructuring the call for lay volunteers has never been greater.

Nicole Steinmetz, a sophomore in the college of Arts and Sciences, currently volunteers her time teaching Confirmation classes at Christ King parish in Wauwatosa. “It’s been a really rewarding experience,” says Steinmetz. “Working in the parish has been great, and I feel like I’ve been able to make a difference.”

This willingness to volunteer, according to Topczewski, is going to be integral to the future of the Archdiocese. “This restructuring calls for people with skills to participate more actively,” he says.

Finally, Topczewski urges that students remember the Archdiocese in their prayers, so that the Catholic community of Southeastern Wisconsin might have the strength to walk through this valley of shadow and financial strife.

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