Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the New York Archbishop considered among the most influential Christians in the U.S., urged Orange County Catholics to follow the Church’s teachings on business and economics by prioritizing the wellbeing of others and working to help the poor.
“Outreach to the poor is not just a tax write off, it’s a sacred duty,” Cardinal Dolan said during the keynote address of the conference at the Hotel Irvine. “Once wealth is locked up, it becomes evil.”
The cardinal’s comments came during the 2018 Orange Catholic Foundation Conference on Business Ethics, an annual event held in May drawing business, religious, academic and philanthropic leaders from across Southern California. The conference raises funds to support financial assistance for students in the Diocese of Orange who desire, but otherwise cannot afford, a Catholic education. About 80 percent of the event’s proceeds are granted the following school year and 20 percent invested in the foundation’s Tuition Assistance Endowment.
“Year-over-year, the conference has raised more money in support of tuition assistance for our Catholic elementary school children,” said Hank Evers, director of Communications and Development for the Orange Catholic Foundation. “Never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit or the generosity of our donors.”
Cardinal Dolan, who toured Christ Cathedral the day before the conference with Most Rev. Bishop Vann, Bishop of Orange, called supporting Catholic schools “an extraordinarily noble cause.” The cardinal urged conference attendees to make a difference through their work and economic prosperity.
“Money is morally neutral – it’s neither good nor bad,” he said. “Its morality comes from the way we use it.”
Cardinal Dolan was named Archbishop of New York by Pope Benedict XVI on Feb. 23, 2009. During his 24-minute keynote address, he discussed the morality of business, commerce, work and economics, and offered spiritual-focused guidance on business ethics.
“Our commercial, financial and business dealings must be seen through the lens of the incarnate word Jesus Christ,” he said. “Because of the power of the incarnation, every action, dream, project and effort of the human person should bear the light of Christ.”
The conference’s honorees included longtime Mater Dei football coach Bruce Rollinson, who received the Farmers & Merchants Lifetime Achievement Award.
Rollinson, a graduate of Mater Dei who has coached at the school since 1989, led the Monarchs to undefeated season in 2017, the CIF Division 1 championship and the CIF State Open Division Championship.
Rollinson spoke about his efforts to instill among his players the ideals of character, moral conduct, loyalty and a strong work ethic.
“You control the effort, God controls the outcome,” Rollinson said during his acceptance address.
Tim Buckley, CEO of Vintage Design, and Tim Strader, chairman of Starpointe Ventures received the Bishop’s Award for Exemplary Business Integrity.