On May 2, New York Congressman Vito Fossella introduced a House Resolution commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Archdiocese of New York. The nonbinding resolution has now run into trouble: aides to Congressman Henry Waxman (he chairs the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee) are reportedly saying that New York Archbishop Cardinal Edward M. Egan’s name must be removed from the resolution if it is to be passed.
Catholic League president Bill Donohue weighed in today on this issue:
“We are writing to every member of Waxman’s committee requesting that the Fossella resolution be passed without emendation. This is a defining moment for those who claim to be ‘religion friendly’: they can put up or shut up. The last thing any sitting congressman needs to do is to get into a fight with Catholics over this issue.
“It smacks of hubris for any public official to micromanage a resolution honoring the Archdiocese of New York. Moreover, it is only right that Cardinal Egan be mentioned in this resolution, and it is outrageous to even suggest that his name be deleted. If there is some congressman who wants to debate this issue with me, he or she should step forward now: I’ll arrange for a debate on TV. Otherwise, we look forward to a speedy unanimous vote on this resolution as it was written.”
