Government’s purpose is to serve citizens, Cardinal Dolan says

Last updated on: September 1, 2012 at 11:03 pm by CNA Daily News

Government’s purpose is to serve citizens, Cardinal Dolan says 2012-09-01T23:03:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Tampa, Fla., Sep 1, 2012 / 05:03 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Those seeking public office should remember the primary goal of government is to serve its citizens, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York said at the Republican National Convention.

In his benediction closing out the Aug. 27-30 event, Cardinal Dolan prayed that all those currently serving, as well as those running for office be “worthy to serve you by serving our country.”

“Help them remember that the only just government is the government that serves its citizens rather than itself,” he said Aug. 30.

During the convention, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin formally accepted their respective nominations as the Republican presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

Cardinal Dolan's prayer follows the Aug. 28 unveiling of the 2012 Republican party platform which contained a significant section on the importance of religious freedom.

The party explained that its positions respect “God-given individual rights,” including the freedom “of every American to follow his or her beliefs.”

An outspoken critic of the Obama administration's contraception mandate, Cardinal Dolan prayed for a revival of “respect for religious freedom” in America.

“Renew in all of our people a respect for religious freedom in full, that first most cherished freedom,” he prayed.

In his closing prayer, Cardinal Dolan thanked God for the “sacred and inalienable gift of life,” and the “singular gift of liberty.”

He asked for God's special blessing “upon those yet to be born” and those who are “about to see you at the end of this life.”

The cardinal also prayed that “a new sense of responsibility for freedom's cause,” be instilled in Americans and entrusted to God's “eternal care” all those who have died in defense of freedom and all military men and women.

In praying that Americans “know the truth of your creation,” he asked that man “not seek to replace it with idols of our own making.”

“Give us the good sense not to cast aside the boundaries of righteous living you first inscribed in our hearts even before inscribing them on tablets of stone,” he prayed.

Cardinal Dolan has accepted an invitation to give the benediction at the Sept. 3-6 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.

Archdiocese of New York spokesperson Joseph Zwilling has stated that neither appearances at the conventions should be seen as an endorsement of either political party's candidates or platforms on Cardinal Dolan's part.

Previous Post

September 1, 2012

Monthly luncheon unites community

Next Post

September 2, 2012 Church remembers priest-monk St. Cloud on Sept. 7

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What is the small, portable cross worn as a sign of faith and blessing called?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Crucifix Chalice Tabernacle Mitre