John Dolan, the new bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, described how he received the news of his new appointment to the Diocese of Phoenix in a Facebook video.

"Right after the Mass, I noticed there was a phone call from Washington D.C., so I called back, and that's when I discovered it was Archbishop Christophe Pierre, who is the Papal Nuncio,” Dolan said in the video. “And he asked me if I would accept the Pope's appointment to the Diocese of Phoenix. And I agreed, I said yes. I was very happy, and I have to say that I was reflecting on the fact that it was the feast of Pentecost, and it was really, truly a Holy Spirit moment.” 

Pope Francis appointed Dolan, who had been serving as the auxiliary bishop of San Diego, on June 10. Dolan said he is grateful for the appointment and looks forward to meeting the people of Phoenix," the Diocese of Phoenix said in a Facebook post. 

Dolan earned a Bachelor's degree in philosophy from St. Francis Seminary in San Diego before going on to earn master's degrees in both Divinity and Theology from St. Patrick’s Seminary and University in Menlo Park, California, according to Faithful Shepherds. Dolan was ordained to the priesthood in 1989 and was ordained a bishop in 2017. 

Dolan replaces Bishop Thomas Olmsted, who had led the Diocese of Phoenix since 2003, American Magazine reported. 

“To the men and women, religious deacons and wives, priests, lay faithful and bishops in Phoenix, I promise my heartfelt love and prayer as we journey together toward proclaiming the good news of Jesus,” Dolan said at a press conference. “He is the Lord. He is our shepherd. He is our brother and our friend. And he promises us the joys of his peaceable kingdom here and in the life to come.”