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2004 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 49
Commending the Most Reverend Walter F. Sullivan.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 16, 2004
Agreed to by the Senate, January 22, 2004

WHEREAS, the Most Reverend Walter F. Sullivan, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond since 1974 and a widely respected leader in the Church and the community, has submitted his letter of resignation to Pope John Paul II; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Sullivan's imminent retirement ends an outstanding 50-year career of service as parish priest, rector of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, and Bishop of the Diocese of Richmond; and

WHEREAS, a native of Washington, D.C., Walter Sullivan received his seminary education at St. Charles College and St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Richmond on May 9, 1953; and

WHEREAS, Father Sullivan served as associate pastor of St. Andrew's Parish in Roanoke and St. Mary's Parish in Fort Monroe in Hampton before receiving a degree in canon law from the Catholic University in Washington, D.C., and becoming secretary of the Diocesan Tribunal; and

WHEREAS, Father Sullivan, who was named Chancellor of the Diocese in 1965 and rector of the Cathedral in 1967, was ordained an auxiliary bishop in 1970 and was installed as Bishop of the Diocese of Richmond on July 19, 1974; and

WHEREAS, under the leadership of Bishop Sullivan, the Diocese of Richmond grew from 113,000 Catholics to 208,000, established 35 new parishes, 11 homes for the elderly, and six schools; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Sullivan has long been a leader in the Catholic Church on the state, national, and international levels, serving in leadership positions on numerous boards and commissions; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Sullivan, a national leader of the religious community's involvement in the work of justice and peace, served as Bishop-President of Pax Christi USA, the national Catholic peace movement; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Sullivan has been active in a wide variety of community-service and charitable organizations and is a widely recognized and highly respected member of the Richmond community; and

WHEREAS, over a long and fruitful career, Bishop Walter F. Sullivan made a lasting impact on the spiritual lives of thousands of Virginians, led the Diocese of Richmond with vision and devotion, and established an enviable record of leadership in the Church to which he has devoted his life; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Most Reverend Walter F. Sullivan on the completion of a uniquely successful career as priest, bishop, and community leader; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Most Reverend Walter F. Sullivan as an expression of the appreciation of the General Assembly for his long and invaluable service.