Boston Archbishop Richard Henning reflected on Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s legacy Saturday, calling him a “tremendous model” of leadership and faith. He praised Dolan for being both a public face of the church and a steady personal support during his time as an auxiliary bishop in New York.
“I love Cardinal Dolan. I always have,” Henning said. “He has tremendous skills for communicating the beauty and the truth of the gospel, and he has put those skills at the service of the church’s mission.”
Henning highlighted Dolan’s ability to ground his faith while speaking plainly to ordinary people. “I can’t say anything other than thank you to him for the grace of his witness,” he added.
Turning to Bishop Ronald Hicks, Henning acknowledged the daunting task ahead of leading New York’s archdiocese: “I certainly understand that the task ahead of him is daunting.” Yet he described Hicks favorably after meeting him in Rome in 2018. “I was deeply struck by his humility, by the prayerfulness and authenticity of his priestly life,” Henning said.
For Hicks, Henning offered direct advice: “Just be who you are, a priest of Jesus Christ, live that to the full.”
As Christmas approaches, Henning urged Christians to refocus on spiritual meaning amid holiday chaos. He encouraged slowing down to intentionally listen to Christmas carols and reflect on their lyrics. For parents, he stressed modeling faith: “Your children observe everything you do.” He also recommended using the nativity scene as a teaching tool for children about Christ’s birth rather than mere decoration.
Addressing modern loneliness, Henning emphasized that the Christmas story remains vital: “The Lord loves us, and the Lord comes to us. The child in the manger is God drawing near, not as an emperor but in vulnerable human form.”
