Dolan's Elevation

This past weekend in Rome Bishop Dolan of New York was elevated to Cardinal. The ordination ceremony was filled with a whole lot of pomp and circumstance. Part of the ritual was the Cardinals’ receipt of a new red robe, hat and gold ring.   

And I got to thinking about it all.

Jesus said to Simon (Peter) in Aramaic You are my rock and upon you I shall build my church. I have to wonder whether Jesus meant travertine, gold, and rare artwork. Jesus was a simple guy who shunned worldly goods. And he had an explosive temper as evidenced by the upturning of tables in the temple.

And when Jesus was asked how will we be recognized as disciples? Scripture (John 13:35) says Jesus’ response was Every person will know by this that you are my disciples, if you shall have love one to the other.  Loosely translated it means Christians will be recognized by their fraternal love. Most notably Jesus did not mention the wearing of gold rings or the wearing of scarlet birettas.

And I am pretty sure that as magnificent as the Vatican is, Jesus would be rolling his eyeballs up if he saw it. I think that he would prefer that mass be held a few doors down—at the Roman Coliseum—where believers were habitually martyred—a more sobering symbol of blood shed by Christians than a red dyed silk Cardinal’s cassock.

And while Cardinal Dolan (a genuinely devout man) will no doubt inspire Catholics (as he should), I surely hope that is isn’t because Saint Patrick’s Cathedral (his home turf) is an architectural New York landmark or because his gold ring is eerily reminiscent of a Superbowl souvenir. I hope the inspiration is generated by interpersonal human kindness, faith and respect—true Christian love—because that is what I think Jesus intended to build his church upon—not so much the pomp and circumstance.