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Dec 21, 2006 4:05 pm US/Eastern
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Cardinal Egan Speaks Out On Dissenting Priests
NEW YORK (CBS/AP) ―
New York's Catholic Archbishop, Cardinal Edward Egan, who has steered clear of the media for most of his six year tenure, addressed the issue of alleged dissension among the ranks of New York priests on Thursday, suggesting it's from only a few. He said, "(Dissension) is perfectly normal. But please, for heaven's sake, how many more days do you want to spend on it? An anonymous letter on a blog?"
It was a letter last October on a Catholic news blog called "Whispers in the Loggia," from a group of priests, that cited poor moral among diocesan priests, accused the cardinal of an arogant and ruthless manner, and called for a vote of "no confidence. When asked who was behind the letter, Egan said, "I have no idea, and I don't think it's interesting."
After the letter surfaced, the cardinal's response was to consult with 40 priestly advisers who dismissed the letter and issued a statement supporting the cardinal.
Yet a number of clergy members have privately told CBS-2 there is dissatisfaction with the cardinal, but the priests won't go public for fear of retribution.
Egan oversees an archdiocese of 2.5 million Catholics, with 700 diocesan priests.
Cardinal Egan, who had knee-replacement surgery four months ago, Thursday distributed Christmas gifts at the Mercy Center, a Catholic charity in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx, where he said it's not known how long he'll stay in the job after he reaches retirement age in the spring. "If I'm here till 150 years old, you'll just have to put up with me," he said,
On his 75th birthday on April 2, the Cardinal must submit a letter of resignation to the Vatican. It's up to the Pope as to whether Egan is kept on, or retired.
(© 2006 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)