Ex-New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan to serve as NYPD's co-chief chaplain

He may have officially retired from the job of Archbishop of New York but Cardinal Timothy Dolan won’t be looking for things to do. Dolan and the Rev. A.R. Bernard of Brooklyn have been chosen to serve as co-chief chaplains of the NYPD’s 34,000 police, officials said.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch is expected to make an official announcement of the dual appointments during her Tuesday morning State of the NYPD address before a group of civic and business leaders, although word leaked out Monday.

Dolan, 76, and Bernard, 72 will be stepping into the role of chief chaplain last held by Rabbi Alvin Kass, who died in October at the age of 89 after serving over 23 years in the top chaplaincy position.

Commenting Monday on the appointments, Tisch said "Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Reverend A.R. Bernard are two of the most righteous people this City has ever known. They are men of incredible faith whose life and leadership embody the moral clarity. Compassion, and wisdom our offices rely on in their hardest moments."

Bernard is listed by The Christian Cultural Center, based in Brooklyn, as the megachurch’s "founding pastor and global chairman." The CCC website said it has congregations not only in New York, but also Atlanta and Orlando. The CCC is said to have upward of 37,000 members.

Dolan left his post of Archbishop on Feb. 6 after 23 years in the job. He was succeeded as Archbishop by Bishop Ronald Hicks, 58, of Chicago.

The NYPD has had a chaplains office since 1906 and has 10 clergy of all the major faiths participating. As chief chaplains, Dolan and Bernard are expected to preside at major promotion and awards ceremonies, as well as memorial services throughout the year. They will also be available for counseling of officers and their families in times of hardship and loss.