Archbishop Dolan's election; Why it is a victory for the blogosphere

The  religion correspondent on NPR was dismayed by Archbishop Dolan's surprise election. citing the influence the  Catholic blogosphere had  and reminding Americans of the influence that the USCCB had on drafting the Stupak Amendment to Obamacare.   Liberal Kicanas was considered a sure thing, until he lost the election to Archbishop Dolan 128-111 in an upset which hasn't occurred since 1960. 

Archbishop Dolan is no liberal, he walks softly but he carries a big stick.  What does this mean?

According to Rocco Palmo of Whispers in the Loggia, quoted by CNA

It represents a seismic shift,” Palmo said. “Above all, it's an indication of everything Cardinal George has been and done over his tenure the last three years in really kind of raising the level of bishops' outspokenness in moral clarity and moral courage, especially in the health care fight.”

It's also an indication of Archbishop Dolan's rising position, he said. The New York archbishop “has been unstintingly strong in his defense of the Holy Father and the defense of the right of Catholics to be treated fairly in the press, as he sees it.”

“Literally, it feels like the world is watching,” Palmo added. “Word is already going around.”

No more softball for pro-death, pro-same sex marriage Catholic politicians. Jill Stanek quoted the AP (see below) who gives credit to 'right-wing Catholic bloggers' who campaigned against Bishop Kicanas, and urged their readers to do the same at the hotel in Baltimore where they were staying for the conference. 

The vox populi has been heard!

It is the first time since the 1960s that a sitting vice president was on the ballot for president and lost. It follows protests by some conservative Catholics against the vice president, Tucson BishopGerald Kicanas….

Bishop Kicanas has not denied Communion to any Catholic politicians and rejected calls to punish the president of the University of Notre Dame for honoring President Obama, who supports abortion rights. Bishop Kicanas instead urged bishops and Catholic university presidents to start a discussion about their differences.

Partly because of Bishop Kicanas’ approach, he was pilloried in the days leading up to the vote by right-wing Catholic bloggers, who urged readers to send protest faxes and leave messages for bishops at the hotel where they are meeting….

Read the entire post at Jill Stanek's blog.