ONE POLICE PLAZA — THE FOUNDING PASTOR OF THE CHRISTIAN CULTURAL CENTER IN BROOKLYN has been named as one of two co-chief chaplains of the New York City Police Department, Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced during her State of the NYPD address on Tuesday, Feb. 10. Commissioner Tisch also named Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who recently retired as leader of the Archdiocese of New York (encompassing Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island).
The Rev. A.R. Bernard, the Christian Cultural Center’s Founding Pastor and Global Chairman, began the church in 1978 as a small Bible study, according to the CCC’s website. It has since grown to 37,000 members to become one of the largest and most well-known congregations in New York City, according to the NYPD website. He has built a ministry known for outreach, counseling and engagement with the community.
Cardinal Dolan led the Archdiocese of New York for almost two decades, guiding one of the largest faith communities in the country. He has been an outspoken opponent of abortion and same-sex marriage. Named an archbishop in 2009, he was elevated to cardinal in 2012. He was president aof the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops from 2010 to 2013.
The two religious leaders, who will be invested at a Feb. 24 ceremony, will oversee the Chaplains Unit and their work providing spiritual assistance and moral guidance to members of the NYPD and their families.
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