Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, sat down for an interview Thursday morning to discuss his Wall Street Journal op-ed from last week, in which he argued that the Democratic Party is slamming the door on Catholics' pro-life views and blocking education tax credit legislation that would give middle-class and low-income families choice between Catholic and public schools.
Dolan appeared on FOX 5's "Good Day New York" to discuss several issues, including his love for professing Mass in prison and his WSJ op-ed.
Co-host Rosanna Scotto said that she and her children are products of Catholic schools, but acknowledged that the schools are struggling in New York because they cost a few thousand dollars per year and are not affordable for middle-class and low-income families.
"People can barely make [Catholic school payments] if you've got two or three kids. It's really tough. And for many, it's the only way out of poverty and an inferior education is to be strong in our schools," Dolan responded, prompting Scotto to ask why he thinks Democrats will not address this issue.
"I hope I made clear in the [WSJ] article that I come from Democratic roots," Dolan said. "And I long for the day that perhaps I can return with a bit more sympathy. But I had to be honest to say at least on those two issues, the civil rights of the children in the womb, and our school children, I thought the Democrats had been insensitive to us."
Dolan added that he would have thought Democrats would care about the poor kids in Catholic schools and the innocent baby in the womb, but then said that they are not concerned.
He said that he has had previous spats with Republicans, calling himself an "equal opportunity critic," but added that he felt that he had to call out the Democrats on these two issues because it "hounded" him. One of the examples he discussed was incumbent Rep. Dan Lipinski (D., Ill.), one of the only remaining pro-life Democrats left in Congress.
Lipinski survived an aggressive Democratic primary challenge from liberal candidate Marie Newman, who was pro-choice and had the support of two other Illinois House Democrats, Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Luis Gutierrez, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D., N.Y.). She also had the backing of Emily's List, the Human Right's Campaign, and the pro-choice group NARAL, among other left-wing organizations.
"He won, by the way, [I] talked to him yesterday," Dolan said, referring to Lipinski. "He won, and he's so grateful. He said, 'If it meant losing I would, that's how strongly I feel about that issue.' So these are the kinds of people we don't want to lose."
Scotto asked Dolan whether he has spoken with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.), whom he considers a "friend," about the abortion issue.
"He called yesterday and kind of gave me a Dutch uncle talk. But he's also honest enough to say, 'You know what, we need a more conciliatory position in those two areas, as well, and maybe we can work together,'" Dolan said.