Cardinal Dolan on Brookfield Mosque: Muslims Deserve Worship Space
April 29, 2012, by Ted Perry, updated on: 11:06am, April 30, 2012
New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan supported the Islamic Society of Milwaukee’s efforts to build a new mosque, telling Fox6now.com’s Ted Perry that Muslims deserve spaces to worship.
In Milwaukee to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving at Holy Hill Saturday, Dolan sat down for a one-on-one interview with Perry that touched on a variety of issues, including a question on the Brookfield mosque.
Perry said some have said they object to the proposed mosque construction due to zoning and traffic issues, while others are opposed to Islam.
“What do you say to those who say they are Christians but have no tolerance for another religion?” Perry asked.
“Yeah, I’m uncomfortable with that,” Dolan said.
Dolan said he publicly supported construction of a mosque in New York, while cautioning that building it at the site of the 9/11 terrorist attacks was a “delicate” issue.
He told Perry that historically, Catholics faced opposition to building churches on main streets across America and Catholic churches often are found today off the “main drag.”
“We felt the sting the other way so now I think we have to be in the forefront,” Dolan said. “We felt the brunt of it the other way, so no, I would defend their right to do it (build a mosque).”
Dolan did not address whether the specific site in Brookfield was appropriate for city approval.
Perry’s full interview with Dolan, including the mosque discussion that begins at the 7:52 mark, is located on the Fox6now.com website.
On Saturday, members of a Waukesha County interfaith religious group called SOPHIA met at the proposed mosque site in Brookfield on Pheasant Drive to offer prayers and support for the project.
“Do not be afraid,” was a common theme by leaders of various other religions. Still, some remain fearful of whether a mosque will have ties to terrorism.
The city will hold a public informational meeting on the proposal at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the Courtroom of the Public Safety Building at 2100 N. Calhoun Rd. Residents can comment on the proposal at a public hearing at 6 p.m. May 7 in the Common Council chambers at City Hall, 2000 N. Calhoun Rd.
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