LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano,
the Ninth Bishop of Rochester, New York, upon the occasion of his desig-
nation for special recognition for his many years of dedicated service
to the Catholic Church and his community

WHEREAS, The character and richness of religious and community life in
this noble Empire State is 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 sense of this Legislative Body to bring full recog-
nition 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 commend The Most
Reverend Salvatore R. Matano, the Ninth Bishop of Rochester, New York,
upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition for his
many years of dedicated service to the Catholic Church and his community
by the Cultural Italian American Organization; he will honored at its
Annual Columbus Day Dinner; and
WHEREAS, In 2014, a group of good friends founded the Cultural Italian
American Organization (CIAO) in an effort to accomplish two objectives,
celebrate their Italian heritage and commit charitable acts in their
beloved community of Auburn, New York; and
WHEREAS, True to its mission, CIAO strives to promote and enhance
Italian American heritage and culture by supporting events and activ-
ities which benefit local charities, and to recognize achievements by
area Italian Americans; and
WHEREAS, The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano has brought to his
ministry an overwhelming spirit of charity and compassion, acting from
vision and enlightenment in conducting his administrative and spiritual
duties, while always displaying the highest standards of personal and
professional integrity and dedication; and
WHEREAS, Salvatore R. Matano was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on
September 15, 1946, to Salvatore and Mary Santaniello Matano; he
attended St. Ann Elementary School and LaSalle Academy in Providence,
before enrolling in Our Lady of Providence Seminary College in Warwick,
Rhode Island, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Philosophy; and
WHEREAS, Salvatore R. Matano was ordained to the priesthood on Decem-
ber 17, 1971, by James Cardinal Hickey in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome;
he attended the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he was
awarded a Licentiate Degree in Sacred Theology in 1972, and later
received a Doctorate in Canon Law in 1983, from that same university;
and
WHEREAS, From 1972-1973, Reverend Salvatore R. Matano served as
Assistant Pastor at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Johnston, Rhode Island;
in addition, he was a faculty member of Our Lady of Providence Seminary
High School in Providence from 1972-1977; and
WHEREAS, In 1977, Reverend Salvatore R. Matano was named Diocesan
Director of Priests' Personnel, while residing at Our Lady of Providence
Seminary in Warwick; three years later, he held the position of Assist-
ant Chancellor for the Diocese of Providence; and
WHEREAS, From 1980-1983, Reverend Salvatore R. Matano pursued graduate
studies in Rome, after which he returned to the Diocese of Providence,
where he served as Vicar for Administration and Co-Chancellor until
1991; during this time, he resided at St. Augustine Parish in Provi-
dence; and

WHEREAS, After a year's service at the Apostolic Nunciature in Wash-
ington, D.C., where he held the position of Secretary to the Apostolic
Nuncio from 1991-1992, Reverend Salvatore R. Matano returned to the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Salvatore R. Matano was named both Vicar General and
Moderator of the Curia and served at that post until 1997; he was then
appointed Pastor of St. Sebastian Parish in Providence, a position he
held until 2000; and
WHEREAS, From 1995-2000, Reverend Salvatore R. Matano was a Special
Lecturer in the Undergraduate and Graduate Departments of Theology at
Providence College of the Dominican Fathers; and
WHEREAS, In January of 2000, Reverend Salvatore R. Matano returned to
the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C., where he held the title of
Secretary to the Apostolic Nuncio until his Ordination as Coadjutor
Bishop of Burlington on April 19, 2005; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Salvatore R. Matano was named Prelate of Honor by His
Holiness, Pope John Paul II in 1985, and received recognition from the
Holy Father again in 1993, when he was named Prothonotary Apostolic; and
WHEREAS, On November 6, 2013, His Holiness Pope Francis appointed
Bishop Salvatore R. Matano as the Bishop Designate of Rochester, New
York; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable man was installed as the esteemed Ninth Bish-
op of Rochester at a Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester on the
afternoon of Friday, January 3, 2014, a title he continues to hold
today; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Salvatore R. Matano has visited many parishes through-
out the first year of his tenure, making Auburn, New York, his first
stop; this city has produced more priests than any other area in the
Rochester Diocese; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God has always given enlightenment,
guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and has adminis-
tered 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 indi-
vidual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano, the Ninth Bishop of
Rochester, New York, upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition for his many years of dedicated service to the Catholic
.SO DOC S R3025 RESO TEXT 2015
Church and his community, noting his unremitting and compassionate faith
and his exemplary service to God, man, and Rochester, New York, 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 tran-
smitted to The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano.