Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan will now offer prayers at both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions.

Last week, presidential candidate Mitt Romney announced that Dolan would conduct the benediction at the RNC.

Catholic liberals argued that Dolan's agreement to pray gave the impression the archbishop was endorsing Romney.

"It's better to invite than to ignore, more effective to talk together than to yell from a distance, more productive to open a door than to shut one," Dolan said in response to criticism of him speaking for both parties.

Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, who leads the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, said prayers for Tuesday night's RNC kickoff.

Rodriguez also spoke at President Barack Obama's inaugural service.

"My commitment is not to the donkey or the elephant but to push forward the agenda of the Lamb," he said about the RNC benediction opportunity.

The music group the Oak Ridge Boys also sang "Amazing Grace" Tuesday night at the RNC.

Singer Joe Bonsall said the group wanted to sing a hymn because they believe, "There's an element that exists that is trying very hard to push God further and further out of our lives."

"We need God more in our lives than ever before," he added.