His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York
Timothy Dolan was named Archbishop of New York by Pope Benedict XVI on February 23, 2009. He had served as Archbishop of Milwaukee, appointed there by Pope Saint John Paul II on June 25, 2002.
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.
Cardinal Dolan completed a three year term as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, in November, 2013. He also completed terms as chair of the Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life activities and the Bishops’ Committee for Religious Liberty.
On January 6, 2012, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI announced that Timothy Dolan was to be appointed to the College of Cardinals. He currently serves as a member of the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches, and the Dicastery for Evangelization.
Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Dolan participated in the Conclave that elected Pope Francis in March, 2013.
Official Social Media Channels
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Cardinal Dolan in the News
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Conversation with Cardinal Dolan
Cardinal Dolan and his co-hosts discuss current events, faith, baseball, and more. “Conversation with Cardinal Dolan” simulcasts weekly with SiriusXM channel 129, the Catholic Channel and the Catholic Faith Network. You can hear free segments of the show in podcast form via The Good Newsroom here.
Coat of Arms
Blazon
Arms impaled. Dexter: Argent; upon a saltair between four crosses Gules a mill-sail of the field. Sinister: Azure, upon a fess Argent a crown Gules between two scrolls Proper; in chief two crescents, the one to dexter of the second, the one to sinister Or; in base another crescent of the last.
Significance
The archiepiscopal heraldic achievement or archbishop’s coat of arms is composed of a shield with its charges (symbols), a motto scroll and the external ornamentation. The shield, which is the central and most important feature of any heraldic device, is described (blazoned) in 12th century terms, that are archaic to our modern language, and this description is presented as if given by the bearer with the shield being worn on the arm. Thus, where it applies, the terms dexter and sinister are reversed as the device is viewed from the front.
By heraldic tradition the arms of the bishop, who is the “first among equals” of an ecclesiastical province, called a “Metropolitan Archbishop,” are joined, impaled, with the arms of his jurisdiction. In this case, these are the arms of the Archdiocese of New York.
The archiepiscopal heraldic achievement or archbishop’s coat of arms is composed of a shield with its charges (symbols), a motto scroll and the external ornamentation. The shield, which is the central and most important feature of any heraldic device, is described (blazoned) in 12th century terms, that are archaic to our modern language, and this description is presented as if given by the bearer with the shield being worn on the arm. Thus, where it applies, the terms dexter and sinister are reversed as the device is viewed from the front.
By heraldic tradition the arms of the bishop, who is the “first among equals” of an ecclesiastical province, called a “Metropolitan Archbishop,” are joined, impaled, with the arms of his jurisdiction. In this case, these are the arms of the Archdiocese of New York.
These arms are composed of a silver (white) field on which is displayed a red saltair; a charge that resembles the letter “X.” This heraldic arrangement is known as a “Cross of St. Patrick,” and by its use honor is paid to the titular patron of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, in New York City, the Cathedral-Church of the archdiocese. Upon the saltair is a silver (white) mill-sail (a wind mill), which is also seen in the seal of New York City, to reflect the Dutch heritage of its founders and that the City was originally known as “New Amsterdam.” Within the areas of the field created by the saltair are seen four small red crosses, for the Gospels, emblematic of the Church’s mission to bring “The Good News” to those entrusted to its care.
For his personal arms, Cardinal Dolan continues to use the design that was adopted upon his selection to receive the fullness of Christ’s priesthood, as a bishop, when he was appointed, ordained and installed as auxiliary bishop of St. Louis, and which he used during his tenure as Archbishop of Milwaukee.
The Cardinal’s design is composed of a blue field on which is seen a silver (white) fess, a bar across the center of the design which is about one-third of the design. At the center of the fess is a red crown, taken from the arms of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, the Cardinal’s home, and which he first served in episcopal ministry. The crown is placed between two scrolls, that are described as “Proper,” or “as they appear in nature.” These scrolls are to honor the cardinal’s baptismal patron, St. Timothy, who was the recipient of two of St. Paul’s Epistles.
Above the fess are two crescents; one silver (white) and one gold (yellow), and one below which is also gold. The silver crescent honors our Blessed Mother, in her title of the Immaculate Conception, Patroness of the United States, and the charge is taken from the arms of the Pontifical North American College, in Rome, where Cardinal Dolan studied for the priesthood and later served for seven years as rector. The other two crescents, of gold, are taken from the Dolan family arms and honor the cardinal’s parents.
For his motto, Cardinal Dolan continues to use the Latin phrase, “AD QUEM IBIMUS.” By the use of these words taken from St. John’s Gospel (John 6:68), Cardinal Dolan takes the words of St. Peter as was said to Jesus, “LORD, TO WHOM SHALL WE GO,” for truly the Lord is the way to all and eternal happiness.
The achievement is completed with the external ornaments which are a gold archiepiscopal processional cross that has two cross-members, that is placed in back of and which extends above and below the shield, and the Pontifical hat, called a “gallero,” with its fifteen tassels, in five rows, on either side of the shield, all in red. These are the heraldic insignia of a prelate of the rank of Cardinal by instruction of the Holy See of March 31, 1969.
Deacon Paul J. Sullivan
Permanent Deacon of the Diocese of Providence
Contact Cardinal Dolan
If you would like to reach out to Cardinal Dolan, please send a letter directly to:
Cardinal Timothy Dolan
Office of the Cardinal
Archdiocese of New York
1011 First Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Recent Works by Cardinal Dolan
I Am With You: Lessons of Hope and Courage
A powerful, universal message on God’s grace and the healing power of Jesus to get us through tough and turbulent times.
Drawn from sermons and writings offered during the early days of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, I Am with You provides solace, hope, and healing for anyone suffering through illness, grief, job loss, isolation, or anxiety.
