WASHINGTON (CNS) – Clergy and laity alike praised the naming of new cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI.
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio also noted the New York ties of new U.S. Cardinals-designate Timothy M. Dolan and Edwin F. O’Brien in a Jan. 6 statement.

“It is a privilege not only for these exceptional leaders in the church, but also for us in the city of New York, which in the past has made a great contribution to the church in the United States and continues to do so today,” he said.

Archbishop Dolan of New York and Archbishop O’Brien, outgoing archbishop of Baltimore who was recently appointed pro-grand master of the Rome-based Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, were among 22 cardinals named by Pope Benedict.
Cardinal Edward M. Egan, Cardinal-designate Dolan’s predecessor in New York, said  from Rome that he had received a phone call from his successor with the news.

“I extended my heartfelt congratulations and assured him of my prayers,” Cardinal Egan added. “This is wonderful news for the cardinal-designate and for the entire community of faith he serves so well.”

The Catholic University of America in Washington was quick to point out its ties to the two new U.S. cardinals-designate, noting that Cardinal-designate O’Brien currently serves on the school’s board of trustees, while Cardinal-designate Dolan was a former board member and a “double alumnus” of the university.

“This is truly a great day for the Catholic Church in New York, and across the U.S. and, indeed, the world, and a wonderful way to ring in the new year,” said a statement by Richard E. Barnes, executive director of the New York State Catholic Conference.

Barnes noted that Cardinal-designate O’Brien is a native of the Bronx, and a former priest and auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York. He also lauded the selection of Cardinal-designate Dolan.

“With his infectious joy, brilliant intellect and enthusiastic love of the Lord and his people, Cardinal-designate Dolan is truly a bright light in the American church,” Barnes said. “He already has become the face of the church in the United States. Now as a ‘prince of the church,’ his influence will truly extend worldwide.”

Here is the list of the new cardinals:
• Italian Archbishop Fernando Filoni, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, 65.
• Portuguese Archbishop Manuel Monteiro de Castro, major penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary, 73.
• Spanish Archbishop Santos Abril Castello, archpriest of Basilica of St. Mary Major, 76.
• Italian Archbishop Antonio Maria Veglio, president Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers, who turns 74 Feb. 3.
• Italian Archbishop Giuseppe Bertello, president of the commission governing Vatican City State, 69.
• Italian Archbishop Francesco Coccopalmerio, president of the Pontifical Council for Interpreting Legislative Texts, 73.
• Brazilian Archbishop Joao Braz de Aviz, prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, 64.
• U.S. Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien, grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, 72.
• Italian Archbishop Domenico Calcagno, president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See, who turns 69 Feb. 3.
• Italian Archbishop Giuseppe Versaldi, president of Prefecture of the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, 68.
• Indian Archbishop George Alencherry of Ernakulam-Angamaly, major archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, 66.
• Canadian Archbishop Thomas C. Collins of Toronto, who will be 65 Jan. 16.
• Czech Archbishop Dominik Duka of Prague, 68.
• Dutch Archbishop Willem J. Eijk of Utrecht, 58.
• Italian Archbishop Giuseppe Betori of Florence, 64.
• U.S. Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York, who will turn 62 Feb. 6.
• German Archbishop Rainer Maria Woelki of Berlin, 55.
• Chinese Bishop John Tong Hon of Hong Kong, 72.
• Romanian Archbishop Lucian Muresan of Fagaras and Alba Iulia, major archbishop of the Romanian Catholic Church, 80.
• Belgian Father Julien Ries, expert on history of religions, 91.
• Maltese Augustinian Father Prosper Grech, biblical scholar, 86.
• German Jesuit Father Karl Josef Becker, retired professor of dogmatic theology, 83.