Apr 15, 2009 6:54 pm US/Eastern
Younger Generations Immediately Warm To Dolan
College Students Like What New Archbishop Has To Offer
RIVERDALE (CBS) ―
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Archbishop Timothy Dolan during his Installation Mass on April 15, 2009 at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan.
CBS
The new archbishop of New York is also getting high marks from students at a Catholic college in the Bronx.
Regular studies were put on hold so they could watch the historic event.
Wednesday's lesson was a live broadcast as a religion class at the College of Mount Saint Vincent gathered to watch the installation of the new archbishop.
They offered high praise in true 20-something style.
"I think he sounds really nice, really sweet," Natalie Hauser said. "He wants to learn Spanish which is really cute. He seems cool, nice."
He's a telegenic church leader for a media saturated age, well-suited it would seem to connect with young Catholics.
"I can speak for myself, and say I watch a lot of TV more than I go to church, so if I can hear him speak the word of God through media, than that's fine," Carla Rivera said.
Many young Catholics have also taken note of Archbishop Dolan's self-evident, self-deprecating sense of humor. They like it.
"I think that's very important, especially for young people to relate to," Megan Gonzalez said. "We like people who are funny and can relate to us, and I think that makes him more personable."
No doubt many young Catholics reject certain teachings that Dolan holds dear, but several here said they hope the intense interest in the new archbishop will serve to inspire faithful who've fallen away.
"When you separate yourself from the church, you kind of lose that good person inside you, in a way," Mariely Melendez said.
If first impressions matter Dolan is off to a good start with these young Catholics.
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