His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has announced that His Excellency the Most Reverend Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York, will be elevated to the dignity of Cardinal in a Consistory to be held on February 18, 2012.

Cardinal-designate Dolan was among 22 new cardinals named today by the Holy Father.  Two other Americans will also be elevated to Cardinal:  Cardinal-designate Thomas Collins of the Archdiocese of Toronto and Cardinal-designate Edwin F. O'Brien, former archbishop of Baltimore and current grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.

Archbishop Dolan released a statement in which he expressed his gratitude to Pope Benedict XVI saying that he is "honored, humbled, and grateful."  He also thanked the people of the archdiocese of New York, "this is about an affirmation of love from the Pope to a celebrated archdiocese and community, and a summons to its unworthy archbishop to serve Jesus, His Church universal, His vicar on earth, and His people better."

Archbishop Dolan is the eighth Archbishop of New York to be named a Cardinal.

Edward Cardinal Egan, archbishop emeritus of New York, sent the following statement on Jan. 5 from Rome:

This afternoon Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan telephoned me here in Rome where I will tomorrow be representing him and the Archdiocese of New York at the Episcopal consecration of a New York priest, Monsignor Charles Brown, by his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in Saint Peter's Basilica. Cardinal-designate Dolan called to share with me the splendid news that he is to be elevated to the cardinalate in a consistory on February 17, 2012. I extended to him my heartfelt congratulations and assured him of my prayers. In addition, I enthusiastically accepted his invitation that I join the clergy, religious, and faithful of the Archdiocese for the consistory here in the Eternal City. This is wonderful news for the Cardinal-designate and for the entire community of faith that he serves so well.