SENATE MEMORIAL 15

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2014

INTRODUCED BY

Michael S. Sanchez

A MEMORIAL

HONORING ARCHBISHOP MICHAEL J. SHEEHAN FOR HIS SERVICE TO NEW MEXICO AND OFFERING CONGRATULATIONS ON HIS RETIREMENT.

     WHEREAS, Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan was installed as the eleventh archbishop of Santa Fe on September 21, 1993; and

     WHEREAS, during his tenure as the lead archdiocesan shepherd, he rebuilt the archdiocese during a tumultuous period and created a safe environment for all of his parishioners; and

     WHEREAS, Archbishop Sheehan continues to strengthen New Mexico's four hundred years of faith with his extensive theological knowledge and deep fervor; and

     WHEREAS, the archbishop is a highly acclaimed spiritual leader and prolific writer, noted for his energy and willingness to meet with parishioners and state leaders throughout the diocese; and

     WHEREAS, Archbishop Sheehan will submit his resignation to Pope Francis on the archbishop's seventy-fifth birthday, July 9, 2014, per cannon law, which requires diocesan bishops to submit their resignation to the pope on reaching age seventy- five; and

     WHEREAS, Archbishop Sheehan was born in Wichita, Kansas, on July 9, 1939 and was raised in Texarkana, Texas; and

     WHEREAS, the archbishop studied for the priesthood at St. John's seminary and Assumption seminary in San Antonio, Texas and completed his priestly formation at the North American college in Rome, Italy; and

     WHEREAS, he did his theological studies at the Gregorian university, where he received his licentiate in sacred theology degree in 1965. In 1968, he returned to Rome for studies in canon law and received his doctorate from the Pontifical Lateran university in Rome in 1971; and

     WHEREAS, the archbishop served several churches in the Dallas-Fort Worth area before being named monsignor of the diocese of Lubbock, Texas in 1983; and

     WHEREAS, since his installation as archbishop of Santa Fe in 1993, Archbishop Sheehan has served as a strong moral compass for his parishioners and is held in high esteem throughout New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, Archbishop Sheehan gives tirelessly of his time, serving on numerous boards and committees benefitting his church and his community; and

     WHEREAS, the citizens of New Mexico are grateful for Archbishop Sheehan's joyful leadership and integrity, for his friendship and for his fifty years of service to the priesthood;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan be recognized for his significant contributions to New Mexico and be offered congratulations on his retirement; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan.

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