Mayor de Blasio Announces Gathering of Senior Religious Leaders Led by Cardinal Dolan to Bring Community and Police Together

August 8, 2014

Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that at his request, Cardinal Timothy Dolan will host a gathering of senior religious leaders later this month focused on healing and deepening the relationship between police and community. The interfaith gathering will bring together faith leaders from across the five boroughs in the wake of the death of Eric Garner. The Mayor and Police Commissioner William Bratton will join in the important gathering.

“There is a tremendous need for healing at this moment. And our faith leaders play a powerful role, not only at the pulpit but out in our communities, in bringing people back together. I am honored His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan has agreed to host senior clergy leaders from across the city to help us drive together towards our shared goal of a city that is just, compassionate and safe for all. We believe in one city. And we believe that city is strongest when communities and the men and women that protect them work together in common purpose,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“I am grateful for Mayor de Blasio’s invitation to host a group of religious leaders from throughout New York City, who will come together to try to be a source of continued healing and reconciliation between our police force and the community it serves.  Although I am currently on my way to Australia to lead a spiritual retreat for priests, a commitment I made over a year ago, I very much look forward to serving alongside Pastors, Rabbis and Imams, as well as the Mayor, Police Commissioner Bratton, and the NYPD.  Religion and faith are powerful agents for what is good and unifying in the human spirit, and I know I speak for my fellow religious leaders in expressing appreciation for the Mayor’s sensitivity to the role that the faith community in New York can play at this time of need,” said His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan.

Details of the event will be provided as they become available.