VIDEO - Catholic Bishop John P. Dolan Plans to Establish Mental Health Ministry after 3 of his Siblings Die by Suicide



 The Most Reverend John P. Dolan was ordained a priest for the Diocese of San Diego, Calif., July 1, 1989. He was ­installed as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix August 2, 2022. 
Bishop Dolan announced plans to establish a mental health ministry in his diocese after 3 of his siblings and a broth-in-law died by suicide.
In an interview with  ABC15 in September he related that his brother Tom died by suicide at the age of 19, after dealing with mental health problems. His sister Therese (age 27) and brother-in-law also died by suicide eight years later, during his studies at seminary. This past October 16th his youngest sister, from his eight siblings, Mary, age 27, also died by suicide.
The video below was made before his youngest sister died:
  
The diocese of Phoenix posted on social media:
Our hearts are breaking as we make known the loss of Mary Elizabeth Dolan, youngest sister of Bishop John P. Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix. Mary, who from her days in college suffered from mental depressive disorder, was found on Oct. 16th to have died by suicide. “As a child, Mary was active in sports and music and faith,” Bishop Dolan wrote on his personal Facebook page. “She continued with her spiritual journey which included a special devotion to The Little Flower, St. Therese of Lisieux.” A talented musician and the mother of both a daughter and son, Mary pursued a music career in the coffee house genre that took her alongside a number of well-known musicians. “She was featured in many San Diego magazines and television segments and took her guitar on the road across the nation in order to spread her musical style. Unfortunately, Mary continued to struggle with depression and debilitating back pain which prevented her from continuing in her career,” Bishop Dolan wrote. “I am convinced that the Lord who conquers all things is leading Mary to Himself. She is very much loved and very much missed. May she rest in peace.” Mary is the third sibling of Bishop Dolan to die by suicide, underlining his urgent plea to get mental health ministry underway in the Diocese of Phoenix. Although firm plans to establish the ministry are in place, applications for coordinator of the office are still being considered. For more information or to apply, please visit dphx.org/employment.

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