LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring The Most Reverend James M. Moynihan upon
the occasion of his retirement as Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese
of Syracuse

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those individuals who have distinguished themselves and the
ministry through their unremitting commitment and preeminence of
service; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor
The Most Reverend James M. Moynihan upon the occasion of his retirement
as Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Moynihan was born in Rochester, New York, on July 6,
1932, the son of Michael Joseph Moynihan and Carolyn Elizabeth Horigan;
his parents were also blessed with one daughter, Carol Anne Moynihan;
and
WHEREAS, Bishop Moynihan's formative years were spent as a student in
Blessed Sacrament School and Nazareth Hall School for Boys in Rochester,
and St. Andrew's Seminary High School from which he graduated in 1950;
and
WHEREAS, Bishop Moynihan continued his education at St. Andrew and St.
Bernard Seminary College in Rochester where he earned his Baccalaureate
degree in 1954; and
WHEREAS, On December 15, 1957, Bishop Moynihan was ordained in the
North American College Chapel in Rome, Italy, by its Rector; The Arch-
bishop Martin J. O'Connor; and
WHEREAS, In 1961, Bishop Moynihan began a lifetime of assignments,
some of which include: being named Associate Pastor, Our Lady of Mount
Carmel Parish, in Rochester, New York, a position he held from 1961 to
1963; he also served as Defender of the Bond and Promoter of Justice in
the Diocesan Tribunal in Rochester from 1961 to 1966; and was Secretary
to Most Reverend James E. Kearney from 1963 to 1966 and Vice Chancellor
of the Diocese of Rochester from 1965 to 1967; and
WHEREAS, From 1967 to 1974, Bishop Moynihan was Chancellor of the
Diocese of Rochester under The Most Reverend Fulton J. Sheen and The
Most Reverend Joseph L. Hogan; he also served as Catholic Chaplain to
the Rochester Police Department and to Rochester's Highland Hospital; he
was then named as Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in the Rochester suburb of
Penfield and continued in that position from 1976 until 1991; during
that time, he was also Director, Bishop's Annual Catholic Thanksgiving
Appeal from 1985 to 1989 under The Most Reverend Matthew H. Clark;
further, Bishop Moynihan served as Associate Secretary General, Catholic
Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) New York from 1991 to 1995; and
WHEREAS, On April 4, 1995, Bishop Moynihan was named the ninth Bishop
of Syracuse, and was ordained as such on May 29, 1995; and
WHEREAS, The high esteem in which Bishop Moynihan has always been held
is proven, in part, by having received Papal Honors; Chaplain to His
Holiness in 1993, Knight of the Holy Sepulchre in 1994; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, Bishop Moynihan has been a member of the Board
of Trustees, Wadhams Hall Seminary in Ogdensburg, New York, from 1996 to
2001; and a member of the Committee on the Relationship Between Eastern
and Latin Catholic Churches in 1996; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Moynihan has achieved many milestones and accomplish-
ments throughout his lifetime; among them are: his implementation of a
Family Ministry program, which involved a wide network of volunteers to
assist in time of crisis; and his work to create a Parish Tithing

Program, whereby one tenth of all parish collections is distributed to
the poor of the world; and
WHEREAS, The many good works for which Bishop Moynihan will be long
remembered are his never-ending attention to those who are in need spir-
itually and otherwise, those who may be sick or infirm, and for his
ability to add joy to the lives of those whose lives may require uplift-
ing; further, it is acknowledged that Bishop Moynihan has been and
continues to be an outstanding inspirational leader and role model for
all members of the community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Bishop James M. Moynihan upon the occasion of his retirement after
many years of distinguished service to the Roman Catholic Diocese of
Syracuse, noting his unremitting and compassionate faith to his service
to God, man and his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Most Reverend James M. Moynihan.