ROME (JTA) — New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan was appointed the new moderator of Jewish affairs for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Dolan succeeds Baltimore Cardinal William Keeler, who has retired.
The five-year appointment, effective Nov. 11, was announced last week by Chicago Cardinal Francis George, president of the U.S. bishops’ conference. He cited the New York Archdiocese’s "long history of cooperation and friendship between Catholics and Jews."
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is the official leadership body of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States.
"Since the Second Vatican Council, important strides in this relationship have been made through dialogue and collaboration in countering racism, anti-Semitism and other offenses against human dignity." George said, adding, "While we look back with gratitude on nearly a half century of progress in these efforts at healing and renewal, we also know that important and pressing challenges lie ahead for us."
