Catholics Question Bishop's RNC Role

New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan is headed to the Republican National Convention to deliver a benediction, a rarity in modern times: Not since 1972 has an out-of-town bishop flown in to bless a party convention. While observers at first called it a win for Mitt Romney, now some Catholics are raising questions about the move, the Huffington Post reports. The bishop's appearance "will damage the church's ability to be a moral and legitimate voice for voiceless," notes a post on the website of America, a top Catholic weekly.

"Those who view the Catholic Church as being a shill for the GOP have just a bit more evidence to prove their case." But conservative Catholics applaud the move. If Romney wins the election, "there will be a very healthy relationship between a Romney administration and the US Bishops, led by a close working relationship between Cardinal Dolan and President Romney," predicts a writer at CatholicVote.org. A rep for Dolan says his appearance is apolitical: "It's as a priest going to pray." Head to HuffPo for more. (More Timothy Dolan stories.)