John Patrick Dolan (born June 8, 1962) is an American prelate of the Catholic Church who has served as bishop in the Diocese of Phoenix in Arizona since August 2022.


John Patrick Dolan
Bishop of Phoenix
DiocesePhoenix
AppointedJune 10, 2022
InstalledAugust 2, 2022
PredecessorThomas Olmsted
Previous post(s)
Orders
OrdinationJuly 1, 1989
ConsecrationJune 8, 2017
by Robert W. McElroy, Robert Brom, and Richard John Garcia
Personal details
Born (1962-06-08) June 8, 1962 (age 62)
MottoAbide in my love
Styles of
John Patrick Dolan
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop

Biography

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Early life

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John Dolan was born on June 8, 1962, in San Diego, California, to Catherine and Gerald Dolan, the seventh of nine children. Dolan attended the School of the Madeleine in San Diego and University of San Diego High School. After graduating from high school in 1981, Dolan decided to become a priest. He enrolled in St. Francis Seminary, a house of formation on the University of San Diego (USD) campus.[1][2]

After receiving a bachelor's degree in philosophy from St. Francis in 1985, Dolan entered Saint Patrick's Seminary and University in Menlo Park, California. He obtained his Master of Divinity and Master of Theology degrees from Saint Patrick's in 1989.[1]

Priesthood

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On July 1, 1989, Dolan was ordained a priest at San Rafael Church in Rancho Bernardo, California, for the Diocese of San Diego by Bishop Leo Maher.[1][3] The diocese assigned Dolan as an associate pastor at St. Michael’s Parish in San Diego. He was transferred in 1991 to Santa Sophia Parish in Spring Valley, California, to serve as associate pastor there.[1][4] He was named director of vocations for the diocese in 1992.[4]

Dolan was appointed pastor at St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish in Oceanside, California, in 1996. He left St. Mary in 2001 to serve as pastor for one year at St. Michael's Parish in San Diego. In 2002, Dolan become pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Chula Vista, California. After 12 years at St. Rose, Dolan was transferred in 2014 to be pastor at Saint Michael's Parish in Poway, California. Bishop Robert W. McElroy named Dolan as episcopal vicar for the clergy in 2016.[5]

Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego

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Coat of arms as auxiliary bishop of San Diego

On April 19, 2017, Pope Francis appointed Dolan as an auxiliary bishop of San Diego and titular bishop of Uchi Maius.[4][6] On June 8, 2017, he was consecrated a bishop by Bishop Robert W. McElroy at St. Thérèse of Carmel Church in Del Mar, California, with Bishops Robert Brom and Richard Garcia acting as co-consecrators.[3][7]

As auxiliary bishop, Dolan continued to serve as vicar for clergy and was named moderator of the curia in 2017.[7]

Bishop of Phoenix

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On June 10, 2022, Francis appointed Dolan as bishop of Phoenix. Dolan was installed on August 2, 2022.[8][7]

Within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Dolan is a member of Catholic Campaign for Human Development and the Sub-Committee for African Relations.[7]

Dolan has lost three siblings and a brother-in-law to suicide. In 2022, he established an office for Mental Health Ministry in the diocese.[9] In 2023, Dolan spent 12 days in Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya, visiting charitable projects that received USCCB financial support. [10]

Dolan serves as chaplain to the National Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers and is the co-editor of two books written by the association on suicide:

  • Responding to Suicide (2020)[11]
  • When a Loved One Dies by Suicide (2020)[12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Auxiliary Bishop Dolan – the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego". Archived from the original on 2018-07-22. Retrieved 2018-07-22.
  2. ^ Burke, Katie. "Bishop John P. Dolan". The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  3. ^ a b "Bishop John Patrick Dolan [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  4. ^ a b c "Pope Francis Accepts Resignation of Bishop Martin Amos Of Davenport; Names Msgr. Thomas Zinkula As Successor; Pope Also Names Rev. John Dolan As Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego". US Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  5. ^ "Resignations and Appointments". press.vatican.va. April 19, 2017. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  6. ^ "Pope Francis appoints Father John Dolan as our new auxiliary bishop - April 19, 2017". Archived from the original on April 20, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  7. ^ a b c d "Resignations and Appointments". press.vatican.va. October 6, 2022. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  8. ^ Grant, Jeff (August 9, 2022). "New Phoenix bishop installed; faithful called to abide in God's goodness". Crux. Catholic News Agency. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  9. ^ "After Losing Sister to Suicide, Phoenix Bishop Renews 'Urgent Plea' to Launch Mental Health Ministry". NCR. 2022-10-20. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  10. ^ "Family life, 'bonding together' behind spread of Christianity in Africa, U.S. bishop says". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
  11. ^ Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers (2020). Responding to Suicide. Ave Maria Press.
  12. ^ National Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers (2020). When a Loved One Dies by Suicide. Ave Maria Press.
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Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego
2017–2022
Succeeded by
Preceded by Bishop of Phoenix
2022–present
Succeeded by
Incumbent