Approaching 75th Birthday, Feels 'Indebted' to the Lord
Apr 06, 2007
On April 2, Cardinal Egan will celebrate his 75th birthday, a special occasion in its own right but also the day that he is required by Church law to submit his resignation to Pope Benedict XVI.
(cny.org, March 29, 2007) The cardinal recently reflected on his tenure as Archbishop of New York, including his plans for the future, and addressed a number of other issues during an interview in his office at the New York Catholic Center. The interview was conducted by John Woods, Editor in Chief of Catholic New York.
What is on your mind as you approach this milestone in your life?
I look back on 50 wonderful years. The Lord blessed me with two devoted parents who were in Rome with me when I was ordained to the priesthood and in spirit with me throughout my years of service in Chicago and my early years in the Roman Curia. Both have gone to the Lord, and I will never cease to be indebted—deeply indebted—to them.
The years were wonderful also because they gave me the opportunity to be what I wanted to be from my high school days forward—a priest at the service of the Lord and the Lord's People. In the seminary I always expected that I would one day be a pastor in a parish. As a matter of fact, I headed a parish for less than a year. Still, I have tried as a teacher, a member of the Roman Curia, and a bishop to be a pastor insofar as I could, preaching, administering the sacraments and guiding the faithful in the works of justice and charity. This has been the fulfillment of my dreams, and for this I am indebted—deeply indebted—to the Lord.
Naturally there is more widespread focus on your birthday this year because at age 75, ordinaries are required to submit their resignation to the Holy Father. Would you like to continue as Archbishop of New York?
Every bishop must send in his resignation at 75 because of the norm of the Code of Canon Law, Canon 401, No. 1, to be exact. Cardinal O'Connor did so when he celebrated his 75th birthday. It is up to the Holy Father whether the bishop continues in office and, if he does, for how long. My letter will be sent, and I will do as I am told.
Last night a brother bishop telephoned me to chat. He recounted all that he is doing now that he is retired. "I am busier than ever," he reported. I hope that, when I am retired, I will be able to say the same. Much of my time over the past seven years has been taken up with administrative duties. It will be great to switch over to more clearly pastoral works, though I would insist that the administrative duties are pastoral in their own special way.
What are the big responsibilities that you see just ahead?
There are three matters of particular concern. The first is to see the realignment program to a conclusion. I believe it has already been a great success thanks in large measure to the work of Bishop Dennis Sullivan and Msgr. Douglas Mathers. Realignment consumed much time and energy, but it set us on a proper path for the future. We have to adjust to changes. Otherwise, we will not be able to serve our people as they need and deserve to be served. Two Sundays ago I celebrated the expansion of a parish church in Rockland County. This Sunday I will be doing the same in Westchester County. We are a growing, expanding community of faith, and realigning was needed and will continue to be needed over the years that lie ahead.
The second major effort is taking our first steps toward a program of Catholic Educational Communities so as to help all parishes become involved in maintaining and strengthening the great treasure that is our Catholic schools. This will be a real challenge for our dedicated pastors and their devoted parishioners. Frankly, I have been immensely encouraged by the response to date. Similar undertakings have worked well in other dioceses. I pray every day that it will work wonders for us.
The third major initiative is, of course, a proper celebration of our 200th birthday. Two centuries ago, Pope Pius VII, freed from Napoleon's prison, was able to create what was then the Diocese of New York covering the entire State of New York and the northern half of the State of New Jersey. There have been many changes in our geography because of the growth in various areas and the movement of peoples. All the same, we are 180 miles long and serving the three boroughs of the City of New York and seven counties north of the City. Our parishes number over 400. Our schools number almost 300. Our charities have expanded to the largest charitable operation in the nation. Our catechetical programs are greatly admired. Our seminary system is thriving and the number of seminarians increasing. We have a fine Catholic newspaper, also the largest in the nation. We have a new radio station, The Catholic Channel on Sirius Satellite Radio. And to all of this and more, we have added a splendid Bicentennial Campaign to strengthen our parishes financially and to ensure a solid future for our schools, charities, seminaries, and retired clergy and religious. There is much to celebrate; and more importantly, there is much for which we should be down on our knees in gratitude to our loving God. I am looking forward to a year of prayer and of rejoicing in every corner of the Archdiocese.
A recent initiative that you have supported and taken an active role in has been the establishment of Sirius Satellite Radio's The Catholic Channel. What benefits does an initiative like this bring to the archdiocese and to you personally?
Yesterday I walked into the dining room of St. Joseph's Seminary to participate in a dinner for young men considering a vocation to the priesthood. We had just had Mass, and one of the young men who was seated in a front row came up to chat. He told me that he had heard my program, "A Conversation With the Cardinal," on The Catholic Channel a few days earlier and my Mass in the Cathedral for St. Patrick's Day as well. About each he had questions, and they were truly great questions. When I left him, I went over to our Director of Communications, Mr. Joseph Zwilling, who put The Catholic Channel together, told him of my conversation, and thanked him once again for what he has achieved. The Gospel message in a variety of forms is going out over the airwaves seven days a week, 24 hours a day, and tens of thousands in the United States and Canada are hearing it. We are truly blessed, and I pray every day that, as the years pass, we will be a blessing to an ever larger audience.
As you look over your seven years as Archbishop of New York, what are you most proud of?
It is difficult to limit myself to just a few reasons for what I hope is legitimate pride. Nonetheless I will try.
My first reason to be proud is the excellence of our parishes. When I came to New York as the Archbishop, I told myself—and any who would listen—that my focus would be on the parish; and I gave my reason. It is in the parish that the Gospel is proclaimed, the Mass is celebrated, and the Lord's lessons in justice and charity are lived out by most of our Catholic faithful. Whatever else we do, we must "do" parish well. And from my visits throughout the Archdiocese over the past seven years, I am convinced that parish life in the Archdiocese of New York is outstanding in countless ways. No two parishes are the same, and each has taught me something beautiful and holy that I will always cherish. Yes, I confess: I am first and foremost proud of the parishes of this great Archdiocese.
I am also proud of the way we have lived our archdiocesan life over these years. In an era of turmoil and confrontation in so many quarters of the nation and the Church, the People of God of the Archdiocese of New York have maintained unity, balance and peace. In my estimate, this has been a key to so much that has gone so well. We are not after one another about matters of liturgy, music and such. We are together in our commitment to the dignity of the human person and the preciousness of human life. We are in agreement about the major social issues of the day and are able to deal with differences not only with thoughtfulness but also with mutual respect. All of this I am convinced, draws us closer to the Lord and makes us more attractive to those who might think of joining our ranks. In briefest terms: I am proud of our style, and I consider it the style the loving Savior expects of His followers.
Finally, my chest swells with what I hope is an acceptable measure of pride when I visit our seminaries and see the kind of formation the future priests of the Archdiocese are being given. We have outstanding seminary professors, spiritual directors and administrators, supported by generous benefactors, selfless volunteers and a most capable staff. This past week I led our seminarians in a day of recollection. What they took away from it I do not know, but I do know what the day did for me. It bestowed upon me a precious gift of encouragement from the Lord through his future priests, along with that bit of pride the Good Lord allows us.
Do you have any special plans for your birthday?
I will not be making a lot of my birthday. My parents and siblings are all deceased. Still, I did some birthday celebrating recently with my Chicago relations; and I will be doing something similar with my relations in Virginia and Maryland. Also, there will be a special Mass with those who work with me at the Catholic Center and a quiet get-together with lay friends in a few weeks. My intention is to make the Bicentennial celebration of the Archdiocese the celebration for my 50th anniversary as a priest and my 75th anniversary as a grateful son of a marvelously kind and generous God.
How would you like to be remembered as an Archbishop of New York?
To whatever extent I am remembered, may it be for being a priest who preached Jesus Christ "in season and out of season," who enthusiastically brought the Mass and sacraments to God's Holy People, and who took stands when they needed to be taken.
In this last regard, I have tried not to proclaim my own personal positions but the positions that I understood to be those of Christ and His Church. Not all have agreed, and this is understandable. Nonetheless, I have made my mind known, especially in quarters in which there could be results, as regards abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, a living wage, the treatment of prisoners, health care, parental choice in education, the right of Catholic institutions of charity and health care to do their work in accord with Catholic teaching, racial and religious discrimination, and even the handing out of condoms on the street. My purpose was always to win people to my point and to encourage members of our parishes to become involved in the same issues with all the enthusiasm they could muster.
If I am remembered for any of this, I shall be both pleased and grateful.
Approaching 75th Birthday, Feels 'Indebted' to the Lord