PROVIDENCE — New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan will make a special visit to the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul where he will speak on Sunday, May 15 at 5 p.m. The special event, which is co-sponsored by the Portsmouth Institute for Faith and Culture, is part of the Diocese of Providence’s 150th anniversary celebration.
Cardinal Dolan’s presentation is titled, “‘Silver and gold I have not,’ (Acts 3:6) finding our treasure in God alone.”
Bishop Thomas J. Tobin will lead the faithful in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament prior to Cardinal Dolan’s presentation, and an hors d’oeuvre reception with the cardinal will follow in the cathedral hall.
Cardinal Dolan, 72, is the 10th and current archbishop of New York, and was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI on Feb. 23, 2009. He had previously served as Archbishop of Milwaukee, after being appointed by Pope Saint John Paul II on June 25, 2002.
The cardinal is widely known for his affable and approachable manner and his self-deprecating humor. He is frequently called upon by national news commentators for his perspective on events in the church. Catholic New Service once referred to Cardinal Dolan as a “happy warrior for the new evangelization.”
Cardinal Dolan made a surprise trip to Lviv, Ukraine, on Monday during a trip to Poland and Slovakia to tour refugee and aid facilities established to serve those displaced by the Russian invasion. He used the opportunity to implore his social media followers to continue their generosity in donating to Ukraine relief efforts.
Born February 6, 1950, Cardinal Dolan was the first of five children born to Shirley and Robert Dolan. His education began at Holy Infant Parish School in Ballwin, Missouri, and continued through the high school and college seminaries in Saint Louis. He then completed his priestly formation at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, where he earned a License in Sacred Theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.
Ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Saint Louis on June 19, 1976, he served as associate pastor at Immacolata Parish in Richmond Heights, Mo., until 1979 when he began studies for a doctorate in American Church History at The Catholic University of America.
On his return to Saint Louis, Cardinal Dolan again served in parish ministry from 1983-87, and then was appointed to a five-year term as secretary to the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C. When he returned to St. Louis in 1992, he was appointed vice-rector and professor of Church History at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, as well as an adjunct professor of theology at Saint Louis University.
In 1994, he was appointed rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome, where he remained until June 2001. While in Rome, he also served as a visiting professor of Church History both at the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.
On June 19, 2001 – the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood – then Monsignor Dolan was named the Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis by Pope Saint John Paul II, choosing for his Episcopal motto the profession of faith of St. Peter: Ad Quem Ibimus, “To Whom Shall We Go?” (Jn 6:68).
Cardinal Dolan served as chairman of Catholic Relief Services and is a member of the Board of Trustees of The Catholic University of America. He is also a member of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization.
Cardinal Dolan completed a three-year term as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, in November 2013. He completed a term as chair of the Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life activities.
On January 6, 2012, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI announced that Timothy Dolan was to be appointed to the College of Cardinals.
Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Dolan participated in the Conclave that elected Pope Francis in March 2013.
The program begins at 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 15. All are welcome. Security will be provided.