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| Timothy Dolan performing the Albanian symbol of two-headed eagle |
The New York Archbishop Cardinal Timothy Dolan encouraged the Albanian Catholic community of America to stay united and to maintain the faith. He spoke Sunday afternoon during a visit to the Church of Our Lady of Shkodra in Hartsdale, and expressed sympathy for the Catholics of Albania who suffered havily during communism.
The Cardinal Timothy Dolan was received with fondness and a storm of applause from the Albanian Catholic community that had filled the Lady of Shkodra Church in the suburbs of New York, as VOA reports.Cardinal Dolan, known as the conservative and charismatic man, is the highest cleric and the second cardinal coming to give a mass in this Church.
The diocese he represents includes several hundred churches, and the New York Catholic Albanian community views his visit as a great honor.
"I admire you very much because of the history you have, the history of suffering and persecution for your deep Catholic faith," the cardinal said.
"They destroyed your Churches, killed your priests, destroyed your catechism, they did not even let you Christian names. And yet, you and your parents and grandparents did not bent but maintained firmly their faith. "
"And now, you bring this deep Catholic faith that is tested in the fire of the persecution, here in the United States, where we need it. Because here in America we did not have to suffer so much for this faith. We take it as something natural."
"Therefore keep this faith, keep the joy and unity in your families. Save the love of your faith and make it a light to the world. We need you, we need your example," Cardinal Dolan said.