St Patrick’s Cathedral is nothing but a noisy museum. Also, money changer place like an amusement park souvenir.
Dolan is a pro homo bishop who is unworthy to live there. Many of them are unfit to hold their positions. They should have been thrown out to the streets years ago.
I don’t trust some of these conservative clergy. Maybe the Vatican is playing good cop bad cop.
Viva, that’s really enough. I made my First Holy Communion at Old St. Patrick’s, last Sunday the scene of a heinous sacrilege outside during Mass. From 1995-2001 when starting to take my Faith seriously, having not yet heard of Tradition, I attended weekday 5:30 pm Mass at St. Patrick’s Mon.-Thurs. It was offered by an elderly priest who still had the Faith. He could barely stand and used to be wheeled over to the altar. He gave a mini-Catechism before each Mass, usually about the Saint of the day and about a point of doctrine or related Church history. His sermon would conclude the catechism, so you didn’t want to be late! He said only the first Eucharistic prayer, no ad-libbing, no silly stuff, no fluff. Mass ended with Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, after which time he encouraged everyone to remain in the pew, kneel at the altar rail, or proceed to the Lady Chapel in back to make a good thanksgiving. In the Lady Chapel at 6:15, there were devotions, Miraculous Medal on Mondays, Rosary on Tuesdays, Vespers on Wednesdays, Prayers for vocations and priests on Thursdays. All devotions ended with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament…sung reverently in Latin. These were the first prayers I learned in Latin. Sadly, when Card. Egan took over in 2001, one of his first actions was to retire the old priests and to close the Lady Chapel for renovations. When it reopened, it wasn’t every day. There was only one Rosary day with the Fatima prayers forbidden, everything updated, all English, no more Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
My grandparents were married in Old St. Patrick’s, and my Irish ancestors helped fund both St. Pats. I’ve lit many a candle in St. Patrick’s and prayed there often.
Yes, it IS a public building open to tourists, New Yorkers, and parishioners alike. Why? It’s a Catholic Church, not a private oratory, not a meeting hall for members only, not Protestant, Muslim, Buddhist, or Jєωιѕн or Hindu. Tourists may be a bit noisy, but that’s to be expected. When Mass or other services are in session, at least 2/3 of the pews and the Lady Chapel are roped off. There’s a very small gift shop just to the right when you enter via the main doors. It’s closed during Mass. There’s a large visitor's book to sign, if you wish. There are full-time security guards at all times, many of whom are moonlighting or retired NYPD. They don’t put up blatantly anti-Catholic or outrageous behavior. I’ve seen people get removed and in one case, get arrested.
No, I don’t support Cardinal Dolan’s antics and affinity to the alphabet soup crowd. If he doesn’t convert, he’s in trouble. Those who knowingly support him in sin are just as guilty.
PLEASE, think before you rashly judge and condemn the entirety of the second largest diocese in the USA!