"Thank you, and to God be the glory," the cardinal said at the awards ceremony
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, has received a special award from the Appeal of Conscience Foundation. He was honored with the Appeal of Conscience Award at the foundation's 60th annual gala on September 29 at the Waldorf Astoria New York.
"My religion tells me I shouldn't accept honors unless accepting an honor that renders praise to the Lord, and that's what I do this evening...My name Timothy in Greek means: Honor God. And that's what I say this happy evening." He noted that the Psalms, venerated by the Jewish, Islamic, and Christian communities, say: "Not to us, Oh Lord, not to us, but to your name give the glory."
The cardinal, in gratefully accepting the award, also spoke of the significance of interfaith efforts, noting, "Here we gather as friends, as allies, as neighbors in this grand city." And he noted the high value of the Appeal of Conscience endeavors. "We do not just tolerate one another, we respect one another...It's a respect, if I might add, ceaselessly advanced by the Holy See...Thank you, and to God be the glory."
Also at the gathering was Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States within the Holy See, who said, "To all gathered here tonight, it is an honor for me to convey the cordial greetings of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, who assures his spiritual closeness and prayers for all who are engaged in the noble work of fostering peace through dialogue, cooperation, and respect for the freedom of conscience."
Archbishop Gallagher said Cardinal Dolan "embodies the Church's mission to walk with all peoples of faith. In the great tradition of this city, he has reached out in friendship across communities seeking not uniformity but harmony."
Foundation advocates for peace and religious liberty
The Appeal of Conscience Foundation, founded by Rabbi Arthur Schneier in 1965, is an interfaith coalition of business, religious, and diplomatic leaders that advocates for peace, religious liberty, and respect for others. The Appeal of Conscience Award is presented to public figures who exemplify enlightened leadership and uphold the principle that "a crime committed in the name of religion is the greatest crime against religion."
At the gala, Rabbi Schneier spoke of the Appeal of Conscience "efforts to unite a fractured world." And he noted his thankfulness for multifaceted efforts to assist the Ukrainian people.
The awards were announced in early September, and Cardinal Dolan, on "Stand Up Sunday," September 7, led a Stand Up Sunday Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Stand Up Sunday is the Appeal of Conscience Foundation and the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, bringing together an Interfaith Coalition of Religious Leaders and Houses of Worship to stand up against antisemitism and all faith-based hate.
Also receiving the ACF award at the September 29 gala was Tony Elumelu, chairman of Heirs Holdings, The United Bank for Africa, and founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation.