Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan At Saint Patrick's Cathedral
Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan asked his parishioners to pray that the Marriage Equality Act fails in Albany. Myles Miller

Archbishop and Cardinal-to-be Timothy Dolan gave a stern homily on morality on Sunday at St. Patrick's Cathedral, telling church attendees that sex outside of marriage is still a sin, despite what popular culture would have society believe.

The one who, with God's grace and mercy, tries his or her best to be pure and chaste is often thought of not as a hero, not a saint, but as a freak in our culture today, Archbishop Timothy Dolan said at St. Patrick's, reported the Daily News. The biblical teaching on sexual responsibility is countercultural,

Dolan continued to say that teaching abstinence is countercultural. Those who try to live according to the teachings of the bible including devout Catholics, he said, will face ridicule and criticism.

Dolan called on priests to do a better job in guiding their parishes to live a virtuous life. He linked societal crimes, such as violence, sex crimes, disease and broken homes and divorce to sexual immorality, reported the Daily News.

The church has at times in the past, sadly, come across as, as some naysaying, puritanical nag, always giving a big 'no, no, no' to one of life's greatest joys, he said.

Dolan is set to become cardinal in a ceremony on Feb. 18, 2012 in Rome.