Larchmont Pastor Named Auxiliary Bishop

by Kathy Staudt

Editors Note: Upcoming editions of the Gazette will include an interview with Bishop-elect Sullivan and coverage of his ordination.

Bishop-elect Dennis J. Sullivan (l.) with Edward Cardinal Egan and Bishop-elect Gerald T. Walsh at St. Patrick's Cathedral on June 28. Photo by Chris Sheridan courtesy of Catholic New York.

(July 15, 2004) Monsignor Dennis J. Sullivan, pastor of Saints John and Paul Church on Weaver Street in Larchmont, has been named auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York. His selection was made by Pope John Paul II and announced by Edward Cardinal Egan on June 28. Bishop-elect Sullivan is to be ordained bishop on September 21 at Saint Patrick's Cathedral.

In speaking to his parishioners about his appointment, Bishop-elect Sullivan expressed his happiness and surprise, describing himself as the "dark horse" candidate for the appointment. He and Bishop-elect Gerald Walsh, whose appointment was announced with Monsignor Sullivan's, will join three other active auxiliary bishops in the archdiocese and six retired New York auxiliary bishops.

Auxiliary bishops can also serve as pastors, and Bishop-elect Sullivan will, at least for the time being, remain at Saints John and Paul where he has been pastor for a year. In a statement he released upon his appointment, Bishop-elect Sullivan expressed his love for parish work and said that he has always been a parish priest at heart.

His statement read:

"My gratitude to the Holy Father, Pope John Paul, for this call to serve the Church of New York as an auxiliary bishop. I thank His Eminence Cardinal Egan for his confidence in me and I assure him if my collaboration and behalf of the People of God in the Archdiocese of New York.

All I have known and loved for my 33 years as a priest is parish work. I am a parish priest-at heart a pastor. I pray that the Lord continue to strengthen me for this new pastoral service to God's People in the Church of New York."

Bishop-elect Sullivan was born in the Bronx in 1945 and was ordained a priest in 1971. Prior to coming to Saints John and Paul, he had always served in urban parishes where he participated in community-building activities. Fluent in Spanish, he also worked to increase affordable housing in his parishes and has been recognized for his work with immigrants.