Dolan Stays Out Of Unemployment Debate

December 2, 2010 11:05 AM

New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan is seen outside St. Patrick's Cathedral - New York, NY - Apr 4, 2010 - Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan (credit: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

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NEW YORK (WCBS 880) - With 2 million Americans losing their unemployment benefits just as the holidays are arriving, New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan, the new head of the United States Conference of Roman Catholic Bishops, is taking a nuanced position.

“It’s a cause of concern, I know, to the bishops,” Dolan told WCBS 880 reporter Rich Lamb. “We’re not going to take a stand. That’s a political issue and there seems to be thoughtful voices on both sides.”

Dolan said he doesn’t know the political ins and outs, but that there are going to be more people needing help.

He added that he’s pastor of a church heavily involved in charity and they have to be more aggressive and robust than ever.

WCBS 880′s Rich Lamb reports

Extended unemployment benefits for nearly 2 million Americans began to run out Wednesday, cutting off a steady stream of income and guaranteeing a dismal holiday season for people already struggling with bills they cannot pay.

Unless Congress changes its mind, benefits that had been extended up to 99 weeks will end this month.

(TM and © Copyright 2010 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

industry

For decades our Government has spent (wasted) money on foolish social programs and third world nations.

NOW they cannot milk the middle class any longer and everyone is screaming for a solution to a Government caused problem.

Entitlements of ALL types whether for welfare or international support should have been stopped long ago.

NO ONE has ever questioned WHY the government wasted _OUR_ money.

The Middle Class is disappearing precisely because of government
mismanagement.

Blaming the wealthy/rich is a tactic to shift responsibility.

WHY blame those with intelligence, discipline or plain nerve for the mistakes
of politicians and a sizable population of useless people living off the sweat of others.

It’s time to enforce: EARN YOU KEEP!
Apply it to everyone, everywhere without regard to race, creed or country.

harriet in ny

sadly no, entitlemen programs are NOT the cause for the budget deficit, the wars and tax breaks were, getting the “middle class” to go after the people taking “entitements” is a tactic by the very wealthy to take attention away from the real criminals, the bankers and large investors who, while unrelated, picked this county clean.

John

I am in agreement with Greg.The Catholic Church has definitely changed.The Archbishop should take a definitve stand regarding the unemployment situation.The Catholic Church has become more political than ever.They have an awful lot to say about everything.
C.J.

Of course he will stay out of it. He will never have a problem with unemployment or being homeless.
Greg

TIMOTHY DOLAN IS A JOKE AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS NOT WHAT IT ONCE WAS. THE PAYING OFF OF ALL THE LAWSUITS FOR THE PRIESTS THAT WERE MOLESTING KIDS HAS LEFT THE ARCHDIOESES ALMSOT BROKE. THEY CAN’T EVEN AFFORD TO KEEP THE SCHOOLS OPEN AND THEY REALLY DON’T SEEM TO CARE VERY MUCH… NEW YORK WILL IN THE NEXST 10 YEARS WILL BE A CITY OF HAVE OR HAVE NOTS AND NO MIDDLE CLASS.
phil

Rember the French Revolution? Our own Revolution? The rich get richer and …well there isn’t a middle class anymore and no one seems to care really care about he American people. We were the nation by the people for the people. Do we have to rise up again to show what are consitution was all about? We are a disgrace letting our people starve our edlery suffer our childern go hungry for the wealthy!
Peter

If we don’t start taking sensible steps to stop spending more than we have, all will starve and then who will help the poor? Before our eyes others are paying a heavy price for years of excess spending. The Draconian end to such fiscal foolishness imposed on any people is harsh. Far better to take sensible steps now to chart a more prudent course, i.e., pay for what you spend. No one wishes to deny benefits to those in need but at some point as one is drowning in red ink, ya gotta start bailing or you will sink.
Barre Flynn

We are in big trouble. While the rich eat well the poor will starve. How long will that go on without some civil unrest.

harriet in ny

well if the wealthy i.e. the koch brothers, keep funding “grassroots” groups and tapping into people’s anger to turn it towards other poor/middle class groups, then nothing is going to happen, the fake populists and their supporting media outlets keep deflating the real voice of the people, cutting off civil unrest in support of the people, we will just continue to fighting with each other and not the real culpit.