"We were looking forward to giving the Vice President an enthusiastic welcome," said the cardinal in a Sept. 23 briefing with press following an event at the Elizabeth Seton Children's Center in Yonkers, New York.
The center -- sponsored by the Sisters of Charity Ministry Network and offering care for children with complex medical needs -- is a featured beneficiary of the Alfred E. Smith Foundation, which commemorates the four-time New York Gov. Al Smith, who was the first Catholic presidential nominee for a major-party when chosen to run on the Democratic ticket in 1928.
Since 1946, the foundation has held the charity dinner, which Cardinal Dolan will once again host, and which over the decades has raised millions in support for vulnerable women and children.
Harris and Trump were expected to share a multi-tiered dais with Cardinal Dolan and other church, political, business and social luminaries at the 79th annual dinner.
Cardinal Dolan told reporters that Harris "speaks very much about the high ideals and how it's good to get away from division and come together and unity and all, and that's what the Al Smith dinner is all about."
CNN reported Harris' decision to decline Sept. 21, and The Associated Press later confirmed it. Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, reportedly plans to spend the time campaigning.
Trump in a post on Truth Social Sept. 23 confirmed his participation in the charity event saying, "It will be an honor to attend."
Trump went on to speak about his participation in the 2016 and 2020 (virtual) Al Smith dinners, adding, "The reviews of my remarks were TREMENDOUS."
Trump hit Harris' decision not to participate as "sad, but not surprising ... because she certainly hasn't been very nice to them (Catholics)." Trump appeared to have been alluding to instances during Harris' Senate career when she questioned some Catholic judicial nominees about their membership in the Knights of Columbus owing to that group's stance against legal abortion, which aligns with the Catholic Church's position.
Cardinal Dolan admitted that Harris' announcement was a surprise.
"We're not used to this. We don't know how to handle it," he said. "This hasn't happened in 40 years since Walter Mondale turned down the invitation, and remember he lost 49 out of 50 states. I don't want to say there's a direct connection there."
Yet the cardinal said he hasn't "given up yet" on Harris' attendance, noting that both U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul have been "working hard to see that they convince her to come."
The cardinal also said Sen. Schumer had told him that he didn't believe Harris had made the decision to bow out directly but that her schedulers have been saying she cannot make it.
As OSV News reported Sept. 17, the event is already fully subscribed and will draw 1,500 generous guests to the grand ballroom of the New York Hilton Midtown. At $5,000 a plate, the soiree is expected to raise millions of dollars for charitable organizations associated with the Archdiocese of New York.
Catholic comedian Jim Gaffigan is serving as the event's master of ceremonies. He previously emceed the event in 2018. Gaffigan announced the honor in a Sept. 6 post to his X (formerly Twitter) account, which featured a copy of the formal dais invitation naming the featured speakers.
The annual event is always popular on the New York autumn social calendar, but in presidential election years, when the candidates are invited to speak at the dinner, it is a must-attend, see-and-be-seen event for many.
In 2023, centenarian statesman Henry A. Kissinger, in one of his last public appearances, held the rapt attention of 900 dinner guests as he delivered a compelling message of warning and hope.
According to a news release, the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation in 2023 awarded grants of $5 million to organizations dedicated to bringing hope to the poor, sick and underprivileged within the Archdiocese of New York regardless of race, creed or color. In 2024, the foundation will distribute a record $7.3 million raised in 2023.