Cardinal Dolan criticizes gay marriage in final prayer at Democratic National Convention

Cardinal Timothy Dolan used the closing prayer at the Democratic National Convention to implicitly attack gay marriage even after the Democratic Party has put marriage equality in their platform for the first time.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan prayed at both the Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention in Tampa. The complete text of his prayer at the close of the Democratic convention can be found here.

The choice of Cardinal Dolan by the Democrats is rather surprising. Cardinal Dolan is known for his conservative values. As a cardinal he is a staunch defender of the pro-life anti-abortion position and holds that the right to life begins at conception. He also defends celibacy for the priesthood and opposition to artificial contraception. He has even come into conflict with the Obama administration on the latter issue. He is also opposed to same sex marriage.

The cardinal was not likely to give a rabble rousing radical speech to get Obama's black and liberal base motivated. Perhaps he should have asked his former friend and mentor Reverend Jeremiah Wright to give the speech!

Cardinal Dolan defended the pro-life position in his prayer:

"Thus do we praise you for the gift of life. Grant us the courage to defend it, life, without which no other rights are secure. We ask your benediction on those waiting to be born, that they may be welcomed and protected."

This is a clear repudiation of abortion of any kind. As if this were not enough he went on to a more general expression of the view that the laws of God no doubt as expressed in official Catholic doctrine should be respected

"Show us anew that happiness is found only in respecting the laws of nature and of nature’s God. Empower us with your grace so that we might resist the temptation to replace the moral law with idols of our own making, or to remake those institutions you have given us for the nurturing of life and community."

This passage seems an implicit criticism of laws that would allow gay marriage but the criticism may be even broader as perhaps by implication criticizing any law promoting artificial contraception.

The cardinal had earlier criticized Obama for his support for same sex marriage saying that Obama's position undermined the "very cornerstone of society". Given that Obama lets Republicans set the Democratic agenda it is not too surprising that he should seek the benediction of a conservative who no doubt belonged at the Republican convention.The Democratic Party did not include video of Dolan’s benediction on their official convention YouTube page.