Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the recently retired archbishop of New York, will serve part-time as co-lead of the NYPD’s chaplain’s unit. Dolan will serve alongside Rev. A.R. Bernard, founder of the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who is Jewish, selected both leaders, describing them as 'tzadik' (a person of righteousness). The appointment follows the death of longtime Chief Chaplain Rabbi Alvin Kass in October 2025. The announcement is expected during Commissioner Tisch's 'State of the NYPD' address on February 10.
25 days ago
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch appointed retired Cardinal Timothy Dolan as co-chief chaplain of the NYPD's chaplains unit.1 2 3
He will serve part-time alongside Rev. A.R. Bernard, pastor of Brooklyn's Christian Cultural Center.1 2 3
The duo replaces longtime Chief Chaplain Rabbi Alvin Kass, who died in October 2025.1 2
Tisch revealed the appointments during her February 10, 2026, "State of the NYPD" address.1 2 3
An official installation ceremony is scheduled for February 24 at One Police Plaza.3
Archbishop Ronald Hicks, Dolan's successor, attended the event.3
Tisch, who is Jewish, described Dolan and Bernard as "tzadik"—righteous persons embodying moral clarity, compassion, and wisdom.1 2 3
She noted the chaplains unit's century-long role in supporting officers' spiritual needs during tough times.1 2
The idea struck her unexpectedly at Mass, highlighting their influence beyond their pulpits.3
Dolan's resignation as Archbishop of New York was accepted by Pope Leo XIV on December 18, 2025.1 2
Archbishop Hicks was installed as the new archbishop on February 6, 2026.1 2 3
Dolan expressed enthusiasm, stating he loves the police and city and is eager to serve.3
Hicks praised the opportunity for collaboration toward a fair and peaceful society.3
Tisch emphasized the enduring bond between faith leaders and policing.1 2 3
The appointment underscores interfaith support for NYPD officers amid ongoing city challenges.1 3
Assess Catholic chaplaincy’s role in modern policing
Catholic chaplaincy serves as a vital bridge between the demanding realities of modern policing and the enduring principles of Catholic social teaching, offering spiritual guidance, moral formation, and support for peacebuilding amid the challenges of law enforcement. Rooted in the Church's mission to accompany all people—especially those in high-stakes professions like policing—this ministry fosters human dignity, de-escalation, and restorative justice, enabling officers to serve as sentinels of the common good.
The Catholic Church has long recognized the unique spiritual needs of those in security forces, extending its pastoral care through military ordinariates to both armed forces and police personnel. As Pope Benedict XVI emphasized in his address to the International Congress of Military Ordinariates, these structures exist "to give them not only ordinary pastoral care and the specific help they need to carry out their mission with Christian charity." This derives from the Church's broader social doctrine, which views public authority—including law enforcement—as oriented toward the protection of the vulnerable and the promotion of peace, always in harmony with love of God and neighbor.
Pope John Paul II, in his homily for the Jubilee of Armed Forces and Police, underscored this by greeting military chaplains who "generously share in the ideals and efforts of your arduous daily activity," positioning them as essential partners in testifying against "the violence and disruptive forces of evil present in the world." Chaplains thus embody the Church's commitment to the ministerium pacis inter arma—the service of peace amid arms—helping officers synthesize their professional duties with Christian vocation. This foundation aligns with Catholic social teaching's emphasis on the common good, where policing contributes to safe communities by defending the weak and fostering justice.
In modern policing, marked by encounters with mental health crises, violence, and ethical dilemmas, chaplains provide indispensable spiritual support. They offer confession, spiritual direction, and morale-building, countering the isolation and stress that can erode officers' well-being. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), through its Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, has advocated for police training that prioritizes de-escalation and understanding of mental illness, implicitly underscoring the chaplain's role in forming consciences for such responses. Inadequate preparation, as noted, leads to excessive force and eroded trust; chaplains equip officers with a faith-based framework to prioritize "the lowest level of force necessary to keep communities safe."
Papal addresses highlight chaplains' proximity to officers' daily struggles. Pope Francis, greeting Jubilee pilgrims from law enforcement, called them "instruments of reconciliation, builders of bridges and sowers of peace," urging them to build an order "founded on truth, on justice, on love and on freedom." Chaplains facilitate this by nurturing hope amid war's "uprooting" effects, ensuring officers remain "shining examples of Christian hope." Their presence extends the Church's welfare mission, akin to prison chaplaincy and befriending offenders, into proactive policing.
Catholic chaplaincy transforms policing from mere enforcement to a ministry of peace. Officers, as Pope John Paul II described, are "called to defend the weak, to protect the honest, to foster the peaceful coexistence of peoples," with chaplains enabling this through the Eucharist and resolve offered at Christ's tomb. In contemporary contexts, this counters "incidents of excessive use of force" by promoting restorative justice that "respects the God-given dignity of each person."
The USCCB's support for de-escalation training—developed with mental health providers, civil rights groups, and faith organizations—reflects chaplaincy's collaborative ethos, fostering "community partnership" and "public trust." Pope Benedict XVI framed this as relating military (and police) life to the "first and greatest commandment," ensuring service aligns with charity. Thus, chaplains mitigate policing's moral hazards, preventing the conflation of legal force with ethical violence, and echo the Church's critique of unjust laws while upholding legitimate authority.
Today's policing faces mental health calls, community tensions, and calls for reform. Chaplaincy responds by humanizing interactions, as seen in endorsements for crisis intervention teams and alternatives to force. While sources do not detail every program, the Church's extensive welfare involvement—from hospices to refugee aid—parallels chaplaincy's role in police settings, partnering with secular agencies. Papal exhortations urge perseverance: "Do not be discouraged" amid violence, but open hearts to "God the merciful Father." This pastoral prudence avoids rigid norms, allowing discernment in "particular circumstances."
Limitations in sources note the focus on ordinariates' broad mandate rather than granular programs; however, these affirm chaplaincy's ongoing relevance without overreaching into unprovided specifics.
In summary, Catholic chaplaincy in modern policing is a profound expression of the Church's solicitude, spiritually fortifying officers for dignified, peace-oriented service. It upholds human dignity, promotes de-escalation, and integrates faith with duty, ensuring law enforcement serves the common good as a path to Christ, our peace.