The Francis Effect in Washington

March 21 Update: It seems that Pope Francis is being talked about everywhere. Just this week his image landed on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, of all places. His presence has been ubiquitous in the nation's broadsheet newspapers since his election.

One subject that has been trending lately in the political circles is his influence on lawmakers in Washington, D.C. A January 5 article in The New York Times anecdotally assessed the pontiff's impact on the capitol, citing examples of both Democrats and Republicans aligning themselves with Francis's views on poverty--though their approaches differ. With President Obama scheduled to meet the Pope on March 27, Washington punditry will no doubt crash into Vatican intrigue.

One person who is eminently qualified to weigh in on both worlds is Melinda Henneberger of The Washington Post. After ten years reporting for The New York Times from Rome and D.C., Henneberger knows the turf well. Her talk at Duane Library's Tognino Hall on Monday, March 24 at 4:30 p.m. is titled "A Francis Effect in Washington."

The idea for the lecture sprung from a course being taught by theology professor Michael Peppard, Ph.D. and political science professor Monica McDermott called "Religion and American Politics."

"It's relatively rare that the two departments team up for something like this," said Peppard. "We targeted Melinda because she's known for her straight political reporting, but she also has clout in the Catholic community for her commentary on religion as well." 

The program is presented by the Commonweal Campus Speakers program. The event is sponsored by the Department of Theology, the Curran Center for American Catholic Studies, and the Department of Political Science's Forum on American Politics. Contact: Michael Peppard, Ph.D. at mpeppard@fordham.edu.  

Fordham Cheers on New Cardinal

Timothy M. Dolan was elevated to cardinal on Saturday, Feb. 18, along with 21 other priests in a ceremony at the Vatican. Cardinal Dolan was named Archbishop of New York by Pope Benedict XVI on February 23, 2009. Prior to being named archbishop of New York, he had served as archbishop of Milwaukee since June 25, 2002.

Several members of the University community were on hand for the Cardinal’s elevation, including trustees, faculty and administrators.

(L to R) John N. Tognino (FCLS ’75), chairman, Fordham University Board of Trustees; Cardinal Designate Timothy M. Dolan; Norma Tognino; Barbara Costantino; and John R. Costantino (FCRH ’67, LAW ’70), Fordham trustee emeritus.

Monsignor Joseph G. Quinn, vice president for University mission and ministry, and Patrick J. Ryan, S.J., the Laurence J. McGinley, S.J. Professor of Religion and Society at Fordham, both in Rome for Cardinal Dolan’s elevation, and were an on-air expert for WABC and other news outlets.

(L to R) Henry Schwalbenbeg, Ph. D., director of Fordham’s graduate program in International Political Economy and Development; the newly-elevated Timothy Cardinal Dolan; and Alma Schwalbenberg (GSAS ’93)

In New York, Terrence Tilley, Ph.D., the Avery Cardinal Dulles Professor of Theology and chair of the Department of Theology at Fordham, said “[Cardinal Dolan] smiles, he laughs, he has a good time. He will present being a Catholic as being simply joyous. As someone who is a sinner who is a redeemed sinner, like a recovering alcoholic who is enjoying the new status.”

Maureen A. Tilley, Ph.D., professor of theology at Fordham, said the Cardinal’s impact could be considerable. “Between his personality and his record, he has the potential…and I say the potential, to be the most influential Cardinal from New York since Cardinal Spellman.”

‘Rock Star’ Dolan Embraces Bully Pulpit


Photos Courtesy of Henry Schwalbenberg