WASHINGTON—Cardinal Timothy Dolanof New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops,congratulated President Barack Obama, November 7, the day after his re-electionas President of the United States.

CardinalDolan promised the prayers of the bishops saying that "The Catholic Bishops ofthe United States offer our prayers that God will give you strength and wisdomto meet the difficult challenges that face America."

Headded that "In particular, we pray that you will exercise your office to pursuethe common good, especially in care of the most vulnerable among us, includingthe unborn, the poor, and the immigrant. We will continue to stand in defenseof life, marriage, and our first, mostcherished liberty, religious freedom. We pray, too, that you will helprestore a sense of civility to the public order, so our public conversationsmay be imbued with respect and charity toward everyone."

His letter follows.

Dear President Obama,

Inmy capacity as President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Iwrite to express my congratulations on your re-election as President of theUnited States.The people of our countryhave again entrusted you with a great responsibility.The Catholic Bishops of the United Statesoffer our prayers that God will give you strength and wisdom to meet thedifficult challenges that face America.

Inparticular, we pray that you will exercise your office to pursue the commongood, especially in care of the most vulnerable among us, including the unborn,the poor, and the immigrant.We willcontinue to stand in defense of life, marriage, and our first, most cherished liberty, religious freedom.We pray, too, that you will help restore asense of civility to the public order, so our public conversations may beimbued with respect and charity toward everyone.

May Godbless you and Vice President Biden as you prepare for your second term inservice to our country and its citizens.

Sincerely yours,

Timothy Cardinal DolanArchbishop of New YorkPresidentUnited States Conference ofCatholic Bishops

---

Keywords: President Barack Obama, Vice President JosephBiden, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, election , religious liberty, religious freedom,immigrants, common good, unborn, defense of marriage

# # # # #