Congratulating Cardinal Timothy Dolan upon the occasion of celebrating the 50th Anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood

Senate Resolution No. 2138

BY: Senator GRIFFO

        CONGRATULATING  Cardinal  Timothy  Dolan  upon the
        occasion of celebrating the 50th Anniversary of  his
        Ordination to the Priesthood

  WHEREAS,  The character and richness of religious and community life
in this noble Empire State  are  nourished  and  fulfilled  through  the
faithful  concern  and selfless devotion of those who would commit their
energies and purpose to the ministry of others; and

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative  Body  to  bring  full
recognition  and  just  tribute  to  those  individuals  who distinguish
themselves and the ministry through  their  unremitting  commitment  and
preeminence of service; and

  WHEREAS,  This  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud to congratulate
Cardinal Timothy Dolan,  Archbishop  Emeritus  of  New  York,  upon  the
occasion  of  celebrating  the 50th Anniversary of his Ordination to the
Priesthood, celebrated at a special Mass at St. Patrick's  Cathedral  in
New York City on Thursday, May 14, 2026; and

  WHEREAS,  Timothy  Dolan,  the  eldest of five children, was born to
Robert and Shirley (Radcliffe) Dolan in St. Louis, Missouri, on February
6, 1950; he has two brothers and two sisters; and

  WHEREAS, From  an  early  age,  Timothy  Dolan  exhibited  a  strong
interest  in the priesthood, once stating that he could never remember a
time he did not want to be a priest; as a child,  he  would  pretend  to
celebrate Mass; and

  WHEREAS,  Timothy  Dolan entered Saint Louis Preparatory Seminary in
Shrewsbury, Missouri, in 1964; later, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts  in
Philosophy from Cardinal Glennon College in Shrewsbury; and

  WHEREAS,  Timothy  Dolan  was sent to reside at the Pontifical North
American College in Rome while studying there; he earned a Licentiate of
Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas  in
Rome in 1976; and

  WHEREAS,  On  June  19,  1976,  Timothy  Dolan was ordained into the
Priesthood by the Archdiocese of Saint Louis;  he  served  as  Associate
Pastor  at  Immacolata  Parish in Richmond Heights, Missouri, until 1979
when he commenced studies for his  Doctor  of  American  Church  History
degree at the Catholic University of America; and

  WHEREAS,  In 2009, Cardinal Timothy Dolan led the Archdiocese of New
York before stepping down in December 2025; n May 2025, he  participated
in the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV; and

  WHEREAS,  Cardinal  Timothy  Dolan  has  brought  to his ministry an
overwhelming spirit of charity and compassion, acting  from  vision  and
enlightenment  while  conducting his administrative and spiritual duties
and always displaying the highest standards of personal and professional
integrity and dedication; and


  WHEREAS, Cardinal Timothy Dolan has always given guidance and wisdom
to  the  many  entrusted  to  his care and has ministered abundantly and
unstintingly to the spiritual and corporal needs of all; and

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when a person
of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our  attention,  it
is  appropriate  to  publicly  and  jubilantly proclaim and commend that
individual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
congratulate  Cardinal  Timothy  Dolan, upon the occasion of celebrating
the 50th Anniversary of his Ordination to  the  Priesthood,  noting  his
unremitting  and  compassionate  faith  and  exemplary  service  in  his
community and extending  to  him  the  heartfelt  best  wishes  of  this
Legislative  Body for a future of purposeful success and well-being; and
be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Cardinal Timothy Dolan.