N.Y. priests' council issues statement of support for Cardinal Egan

Published: 2006-10-18

NEW YORK (CNS) -- The New York Archdiocesan Priests' Council Oct. 16 declared its confidence in New York Cardinal Edward M. Egan and said it was "appalled" at an anonymous letter circulating "among some of the priests and in the media" that denounces the cardinal. Cardinal Egan called a special meeting of the council and met with it for two hours Oct. 16, five days after the critical letter became public. "We are appalled that the letter was sent anonymously and that it can and has been used by those who seek to damage the church," the priests' council said in a statement it issued after meeting with the cardinal. The letter said priests' morale in the archdiocese was the worst in living memory and urged priests at their next deanery meetings to hold formal votes of "no confidence" in the cardinal. It said his relationship with his priests has been "defined by dishonesty, deception, disinterest and disregard." The council added, "We are also upset and dismayed that our archbishop has been personally vilified in this manner. At today's meeting, the members of the priests' council reiterated their support for His Eminence. We stand with him in confidence and look forward to his continued ministry."

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