Archbishop Timothy Dolan

On Saturday night I saw one of the worst and one of the best pieces of television this year - and they were both on EWTN.

I was genuinely embarrassed to switch over on Saturday to find some of the worst acting I've ever seen in my life displayed on the worldwide Catholic channel. It was a part-dramatisation of G K Chesterton's message. I wouldn't even call it drama. I think some of our 6th Form house drama nights were even better than this effort - and by quite some distance. It was a stark reminder of how little money and budget EWTN has to produce quality programmes.

Then, on the same channel on the same night, the excellent live World Over programme blew me away - or rather the night's interviewee did. It was Archbishop Timothy Dolan, the new Archbishop of New York. I'd never heard of him before.

During Raymond Arroyo's wide ranging interview, I was taken-aback by Archbishop's clarity, faith, down to earth nature, humility, humour, happiness, optimism, willingness to share deeply personal things... (and the list goes on). He answered questions eloquently in detail on his priorities, Catholic schools, the formation of priests and laity etc. One of his main points was that the energy of diocesan priests will be the key to passing on the faith and evangelisation. He also called Catholic politicians who are openly pro-abortion a "scandal".

Then, if the interview wasn't enough, EWTN showed highlights of his spectacular inauguration last week including his stunning homily. Luckily, the Archdiocese of New York's website has the video in full for your enjoyment. The excitement and joy you can see expressed on his face throughout the Mass, and his facial expressions illustrating his piety and humility, are worth a watch alone.

The fact the Mass was in the Octave of Easter makes it an especially uplifting occasion to watch, particularly with triumphant Easter hymns. And then, after the Gospel, the Archbishop opens his mouth.

He is forthright, loud, colloquial at times and highly amusing at others. He comes across as a fabulous leader and father and also as a mate. His variety of words is a craft.

It is tempting to carry the whole homily on the blog because it's that good. But here are a few snippets:

...this is not all about Timothy Dolan, or all about cardinals and bishops, or about priests and sisters, or even about family and cherished friends.

Nope . . . this is all about two people: Him and her . . . this is all about Jesus and His Bride, the Church. For, as de Lubac asked, "What would I ever know of Him without her?"

The Resurrection of Jesus is so central to our faith that we celebrate it every Sunday at Mass. On my first day as your archbishop I dream that we can reclaim Sunday as the Lord's Day, anchored in our faithfulness to Sunday Mass, our weekly family meal with the risen Jesus.

The most moving part of the whole Mass is the point when the Archbishop states:

Conscious are we of former Mayor Ed Koch's observation that the Catholic Church is the glue that keeps this city together . . . and, and . . . the Resurrection goes on, as His Church continues to embrace and protect the dignity of every human person, the sanctity of human life, from the tiny baby in the womb...

...There follows an immediate irruption and standing ovation. What a message to those watching. And then he continues:

to the last moment of natural passing into eternal life.

He then continues:

Yes, the Church is a loving mother who has a zest for life and serves life everywhere, but she can become a protective "mamma bear" when the life of her innocent, helpless cubs is threatened. Everyone in this mega-community is a somebody with an extraordinary destiny. Everyone is a somebody in whom God has invested an infinite love. That is why the Church reaches out to the unborn, the suffering, the poor, our elders, the physically and emotionally challenged, those caught in the web of addictions.

On the Gospel of the day, the Road to Emmaus, he said:

For three weeks in July, 1992, I was on pilgrimage in Israel. I had a wonderful Franciscan guide who made sure I saw all the sacred places in the Holy Land. The day before I departed, he asked, "Is there anything left you want to see?"

"Yes," I replied, "I would like to walk the road to Emmaus."

"That we cannot do," he told me, "You see, no one really knows where that village of Emmaus actually was, so there is no more road to Emmaus."

Sensing my disappointment, he remarked, "Maybe that's part of God's providence, because we can now make every journey we undertake a walk down the Road to Emmaus."

My new friends of this great archdiocese, would you join your new pastor on an "adventure in fidelity," as we turn the Staten Island Expressway, Fifth Avenue, Madison Avenue, Broadway, the FDR, the Major Deegan, and the New York State Thruway into the Road to Emmaus, as we witness a real "miracle on 34th street" and turn that into the road to Emmaus?

For, dare to believe, that:

From Staten Island to Sullivan County, from the Bowery, to the Bronx, to Newburgh, from White Plains to Poughkeepsie... he is walking right alongside us.

An example of his humour:

And I'm so glad Mom is here this afternoon . . . especially because there's a sale on at Macy's!

Take a watch yourself. I think the Archdiocese of New York has just got a fantastic leader.