The Most Rev. John P. Dolan
Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix

The Most Reverend John P. Dolan was ordained a priest for the Diocese of San Diego, Calif., July 1, 1989. He was ­installed as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix August 2, 2022, at St. Thomas Aquinas parish in Avondale.

Prior to his arrival in Phoenix he served as Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego, California, since April of 2017, where he also served as the vicar general, vicar for clergy and the moderator of the curia.

Growing up in San Diego, Bishop Dolan attended local Catholic schools at St. Mary Magdalene parish and University High School, before attending St. Francis Seminary and the University of San Diego, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy. He earned a Master’s degree in Divinity and Theology at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, Calif.

Ordained to the priesthood on July 1, 1989, by Bishop Leo T. Maher, Bishop Dolan began as an associate pastor at St. Michael’s parish in Paradise Hills, Calif., before serving at Santa Sophia in Spring Valley, Calif., St. Rose of Lima in Chula Vista, Calif., St. Mary Star of the Sea in Oceanside, Calif., and at St. Michael’s parish in Poway, Calif., St. John the Evangelist and St. Vincent de Paul parishes in Hillcrest, Calif., and Mission Hills, Calif.  He is the seventh of nine children in his family, born to Catherine and Gerald Dolan.

Birthday: June 8, 1962
Ordination to the priesthood: July 1, 1989
Ordained a bishop: June 8, 2017
Installed in Phoenix: August 2, 2022

Other notable moments:

  • Instituted the annual Mass of Remembrance for People Who Died by Suicide on Sept. 4, 2022, at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral
  • Opened the diocese’s first Mental Health Ministry on Dec. 13, 2022, emphasizing education, accompaniment, and advocacy
  • Numerous media and speaking engagements on the topic of mental health
  • Co-authored two books published by Ave Maria Press – When A Loved One Dies by Suicide and Responding to Suicide: A Pastoral Handbook for Catholic Leaders
  • Appointed Rev. John Muir to the position of Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia
  • Promoted Dr. Maria Chavira, chancellor of the Diocese of Phoenix, to the additional position of Vice Moderator of the Curia, a historic and rare appointment for a lay woman
Get to know Bishop Dolan
Homilies from Bishop Dolan