LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the found-
ing of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse

WHEREAS, Religious institutions and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those institutions who have contributed to the ethical and spiritual
values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 125th Anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of Syracuse;
and
WHEREAS, On November 26, 1886, Pope Leo XIII placed his signature on a
document that detached seven counties from the Diocese of Albany and
established the Diocese of Syracuse; and
WHEREAS, The Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse includes Catholics
residing in seven counties of Central and South Central New York State,
including Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga and
Oswego counties; and
WHEREAS, According to Canon Law, a diocese is a portion of the people
of God which is entrusted for pastoral care to a bishop with the cooper-
ation of the presbyterate; and
WHEREAS, In fulfilling the definition, Pope Leo XIII appointed Patrick
A. Ludden the first Bishop of the Diocese of Syracuse two weeks after
its designation; and
WHEREAS, Today, the diocese has 133 parishes, nine missions, and three
devotion chapels, serving 285,000 members; and
WHEREAS, Aside from places of worship, within the Diocese of Syracuse
there are three Catholic hospitals, 24 Catholic schools, and seven
special centers for social services; and
WHEREAS, The Diocese of Syracuse also oversees 42 residential facili-
ties that care for disabled members of the community; and
WHEREAS, The diocese has 264 offices and employs approximately 3,000
people; and
WHEREAS, For 125 years, the Diocese of Syracuse has made significant
contributions to its community through the benevolent works of its
priests and its laity who serve in various ministries; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of Bishop Robert Cunningham, the
Diocese of Syracuse stands on the threshold of tomorrow, prepared to
meet the challenges of the coming decades while retaining that spiritual
resolve which characterizes its past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of
Syracuse, fully confident that this commemoration reflects the belief in
those values which enhance the dignity and purpose of life; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Bishop Robert Cunningham of the Diocese of Syracuse.