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.