Catholic community of Phoenix celebrates new Bishop John P. Dolan

Corrections & Clarifications: A previous version of this article included the wrong first name for Bishop John P. Dolan and misspelled Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted's name.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix welcomed its fifth bishop during a ceremonial Mass on Tuesday at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Avondale. 

Bishop John P. Dolan, formerly at the San Diego Diocese, replaces outgoing Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted after 18 years of service. Olmsted recently turned 75, the age at which bishops are required to retire. Dolan, 60, was appointed by Pope Francis in June and takes charge of an estimated 1.1 million Catholics in Phoenix.

A livestream of the service showed dozens of white-robed deacons and priests in attendance. Among the crowds of parishioners were Gov. Doug Ducey, House Speaker Rusty Bowers and state Rep. Christian Solorio. The faithful joined the ceremony in person and online. Valerie Ramirez McGirr watched the Facebook livestream.

“I’m watching from work!” she wrote on Facebook. “Praying for our new bishop!”

Previous coverage:Pope Francis appoints new bishop to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix

A choir and an orchestra filled the air with Latin hymns. As the last of the procession took their seats and the building quieted, trumpets suddenly rang out, announcing the arrival of the new bishop.

Dolan walked down the aisle toward the altar, garbed in a white robe with gold accents, a tall white miter, a symbol of the high priesthood, and his pastoral staff, which he adorned with dried Cholla in a nod to Phoenix. He was flanked by other high priests, among them Olmsted. 

“We rejoice today because a new bishop means the work and life of the church will continue,” Olmsted said, during his welcome speech. 

The Archbishop of Santa Fe, John C. Wester, said Dolan was well-equipped for his new role in overseeing the Phoenix Diocese and in supporting everyone regardless of their position in the church. 

“He has a great love for the people of God, reaching out to all with a shepherd’s care. He’s a good listener who’s open to the movement of the holy spirit in the priests and the deacons, the religious and the lay,” he said. 

Monsignor Luca Caveada read the apostolic letter which officially appointed Dolan to the position. The letter was held up for inspection by religious officials and then shown to the public from each side of the stage. 

In the letter, Archbishop Christoph Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, joked that the transition from a beachfront diocese to a desert one was sure to be a challenge, to a ripple of laughter from the audience. Pierre advised Dolan to take heart from Jesus, who performed miracles in the water and desert both. 

When Caveada asked whether Dolan accepted the appointment, he accepted, saying he would work to fulfill his religious responsibilities. 

“With faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and with the love of God in my heart, I do accept the pastoral care of the people of God in the diocese of Phoenix, and I resolve to serve faithfully the spiritual needs of this local church,” Dolan said, to applause. 

For his first sermon as bishop, Dolan delved into current events to exhort people to be loving towards one another. Hatred has led to tragedies and conflicts throughout history, and continues to be an issue in the present day, Dolan said. 

“Just look at the war in Ukraine. Or our nation’s political divide. Or our mass shootings. Or the way in which we still treat people of cultures, color, creed or orientation,” he said. 

Dolan called on people to be good and loving to each other and to remember that othering one another leads to divisiveness and hatefulness. Everyone, he said, should “be good, be love and be blessed.”

Reach criminal justice reporter Gloria Rebecca Gomez at grgomez@gannett.com or on Twitter @glorihuh.

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