Cardinal Dolan Now Offering Prayer at Both Conventions

Cardinal Timothy Dolan says he's now giving the closing prayer at both the Democratic and Republican conventions.

The New York Roman Catholic leader made the announcement Tuesday through his spokesman.

After GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney announced last week that Dolan would offer the benediction at this week's Republican Convention in Tampa, Fla., some Catholic liberals criticized Dolan's appearance. They said it gave the impression he was endorsing Romney.

Dolan, president of the U.S. bishops' conference, is also an outspoken critic of President Barack Obama's mandate that employers provide health insurance that covers birth control.

After the criticism, Dolan said he was participating only to give a prayer. And he said he offered to attend next week's Democratic convention in Charlotte, N.C., — an offer Dolan's spokesman says was accepted.