Prelates Place Friendly Wager on World Series

NEW YORK, NY (Zenit.org) - As the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies set to square off in baseball's World Series, the archbishops of the two cities are placing a friendly wager on the outcome.

Cardinal Justin Rigali, archbishop of Philadelphia, and Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, settled the terms of the bet Tuesday evening, the dioceses reported in a joint press statement.

Cardinal Rigali will send a case of Tastykakes to the Big Apple if the Yankees win. Should the Phillies take the World Series, Archbishop Dolan will ship a dozen bagels to the City of Brotherly Love.

"Cardinal Rigali is one of my closest and dearest friends," Archbishop Dolan was quoted in the statement. "For several years he even served as my archbishop, so I feel a particular loyalty to him."

In 2001, Archbishop Dolan was named auxiliary bishop of St. Louis, where then Archbishop Rigali was leading the archdiocese.

In the light-hearted note, Archbishop Dolan lamented his friend's loyalties to the Phillies: "I know he has exquisite taste in most matters. I just wish he had better taste in baseball teams."

Cardinal Rigali also noted "great esteem" for his colleague. "He is a gifted spiritual leader who has been a true friend for many years.

"That is why I am so sorry he will be disappointed when the Phillies successfully defend their World Championship."

"We have the cream cheese ready for the bagels that I know will be arriving shortly after the Repeat in the City of Brotherly and Sisterly love," the cardinal noted with confidence.

The best-of-seven series begins tonight at Yankee Stadium.

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