Meet the 5th bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix

Following is the prepared text for Bishop Dolan’s remarks upon his appointment as 5th bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix.

June 10, 2022

At this new chapter in my life and ministry, I am filled with deep gratitude that the Lord, who has been at my side, remains faithful to me as I begin my service to the people of God here in the Diocese of Phoenix.

En este nuevo capítulo de mi vida y ministerio, estoy lleno de profunda gratitud, porque el Señor que ha estado a mi lado permanece fiel a mí al comenzar mi servicio al pueblo de Dios aquí en la Diócesis de Phoenix.

Deseo dar las gracias al Obispo Olmsted y al Obispo Nevares, que me han demostrado un cálido y cariñosa bienvenida.

I wish to thank Bishop Olmsted and Bishop Nevares who have provided me a warm and affectionate welcome.

Last night, Bishop Olmsted and I enjoyed a tie of prayer and fellowship, and I have quickly come to admire and respect your bishop as a true disciple and son of the Church. I was particularly moved as we shared our vocation stories and how we were each led by loving and faithful families to the life of priestly ministry. I look forward to deepening my closeness with and my love for your two bishops.

Last Sunday, on the Feast of Pentecost, I received a call from Archbishop Christoph Pierre, our Papal Nuncio in Washington, DC, who told me that Pope Francis wished to appoint e to this wonderful portion of the Lord’s Vineyard. On that Feast of Pentecost, I said “Yes,” and now, relying on the breath and strength of the Holy Spirit, I ask Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Patroness of the Diocese of Phoenix, to help me continue to say “Yes” to the Lord as your new bishop.

I give praise to God for my parents, Cathy and Jerry, who this coming Sunday celebrate 72 years of marriage. May they continue to enjoy the sweetness of life together. I am also grateful to the Lord for each of my eight siblings, some of whom are in the hands of God, others of whom continue to reside in San Diego and another who lives here in this diocese. They continue to inspire me and offer me both prayerful and moral support.

The long list of my friends, neighbors, teachers, and mentors is too lengthy to even attempt to acknowledge here. Many of them are priests, bishops, and women religious who have taught me how to be a priest, pastor, and bishop. I am indebted to each and every one of them.

The people of the Diocese of San Diego will always have a place in my heart. As a native of San Diego and resident there for all 60 years of my life, I will now have to make some adjustments.

I grew up in the heart of San Diego, just miles from Pacific Beach, where I would spend long summer days surfing and boogie-boarding — my dermatologist can attest to that. My childhood home was in the Mission Bay area and in a community called Tecolote Canyon. Resting between my home parish, St. Mary Magdalene, and the Catholic University of San Diego, it became a perfect place for many Catholic families to live. In fact, Tecolote Canyon was often called “Catholic Gultch.”

There, in that neighborhood, I celebrated all of my sacraments and offered my first Mass as a priest. I attended the School of the Madeleine, trained by the wonderful Sisters of St. Francis, Philadelphia Province. I then attended a Catholic high school — University of San Diego High School — and then St. Francis Seminary and the University of San Diego. My only time away from San Diego was in Menlo Park, California, at St. Patrick’s Seminary, where I received both a Masters of Divinity and a Masters of Arts.

I was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Leo Maher and had served in various roles, mostly parish related, throughout my ministry for the last 33 years, the last five years as Auxiliary Bishop in San Diego.

I can thank Bishop Robert McElroy for placing me in the roles of Vicar General, Moderator of the Curia, and Vicar for Clergy. It is in these roles, and as Bishop, where I discovered a ministry of diocesan governance within the life of the Church. I value his leadership and offer my prayers for him; especially now as he prepares to serve his Holiness as a Cardinal and a chief collaborator.

I am truly blessed to be here in Phoenix. I’ve been here a number of times and have enjoyed such places as Sedona, the Grand Canyon, Lake Havasu, and Dolan Springs, a gateway to another view of the Grand Canyon.

However, beyond the beautiful scenery, as I see this ever-growing Church, I am inspired by your inter-cultural way of life, your ecumenical spirit, your vast array of grade schools, high schools, and colleges, your service to the poor through Catholic Charities and St. Vincent de Paul, the various spiritual movements and organizations like Cursillo, Legion of Mary, Fraternal Organizations like the Knights of Peter Claver, Columbus, Malta, and Holy Sepulcher, your formation programs for deacons and priests, and catechetical programs for youth, young adults, and adults. The list goes on. Truly, the Church here is alive, and this is due in great part to Bishop Olmsted, Bishop Nevares, this vibrant Curia, the clergy, and various leaders throughout this Diocese. Bishop Olmsted, truly, your diocese should be proud.

To the men and women religious, deacons and wives, priests, lay faithful and bishops in Phoenix, I promise my heartfelt love and prayer as we journey together toward proclaiming the Good News of Jesus, our Lord and Shepherd, Brother and Friend, who promises us the joys of His peaceable Kingdom here and in the life to come.

My motto as bishop is “Abide in My Love.” This is Jesus’ command, which promises joy and, to be sure, complete joy. I am confident that, as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, I will have joy as long as I abide in His love. So, please, I ask you to pray for me.