Health care advocates in the Bronx enlisted Cardinal Timothy Dolan in the fight against elder abuse.

Dolan toured the Weinberg Center for Elder Abuse Prevention at the Hebrew Home in Riverdale Wednesday.

The 10-year-old center is the nation's first elder abuse shelter.

The cardinal celebrated Mass with residents and staff before mingling with the crowd for pictures and conversation.

But amid the smiles, the cardinal sought to raise awareness about the serious issue of elder abuse.

"A program like this one reminds us that one's worth -- one's dignity -- does not depend on one's effectiveness, one's utility, one's ability to function," Dolan said. "They're beautiful. They have dignity. They deserve respect."

Statistics show that 10 percent of elder adults are victims of abuse.