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Reverend John Vincent Dolciamore, S. T. L., J. C. L.

Pastor, Divine Providence, January 1, 1976 to 1987

Father was born in Chicago on April 26, 1926, the youngest of the seven children of Luigi and Cecelia DePalo Dolciamore After graduation from Saint Genevieve grammar school on the northwest side, he went on for the customary five years at Quigley Preparatory Seminary followed by seven years at the major seminary, Saint Mary of the Lake, in Mundelein.

His work in the college at Saint Mary earned him a B. A. in Philosophy, an M. A. in English, and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.). He was ordained a priest by Samuel Cardinal Stritch on May 1, 1952.

His first assignment to Saint Charles Borromeo Parish was abbreviated when he was chosen to go to Rome in 1954 for graduate studies. In 1956 the Gregorian University in Rome granted him a Licentiate in Canon Law (J. C. L.).

The thrill of Rome and his academic accomplishment were temporarily paled by the excitement of the trip home. Father was a passenger aboard the ill fated Andrea Doria, which collided with another ship in a heavy fog and sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. Fortunately he was unscathed.

Upon his return, he was assigned full time to the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese with residence in the rectory of Holy Name Cathedral. He was named Judge of the Tribunal in 1963, Vice Officialis in 1967, and Officialis or Chief Judge in 1972.

These were busy years involving important interpretations of the Canon Law and jurisprudence affecting marriage. Father has written numerous articles, and has frequently been invited to address conventions, regionally and nationally, on these matters of vital concern to so many. The Canon Law Society of America asked him to edit a book on Matrimonial Jurisprudence in the United States. The book which covered a four year span, was the first of its kind, and it continues to be published, following the original format. He reorganized the Chicago Tribunal to accommodate the changes in procedural and substantive law with a resultant increase in decisions sought and rendered. In 1972, only 110 final decisions in marital matters were handed down. Today the number exceeds 1,500 annually. His experience and expertise in these matters are widely recognized. He has been a Consultor on the Board of Governance of the Canon Law Society of America. He is currently a consultant to the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in canonical matters. On several occasions he has been called to Rome to discuss matrimonial procedures.

Important as these activities are, they and his place of residence were insulating Father from pastoral experience. With no wish to sacrifice his judicial and legislative talents, a series of residence and environmental relocations were decided upon as an effective broadening vehicle. From June, 1966 to April, 1969, he resided at Saint Joseph Carondolet Home for Children on the south side and participated in its operation. From April, 1969 to February, 1972, he resided at Saint John of the Cross Parish in Western Springs where he experienced the operation of a typical suburban parish. From February of 1972 to the end of 1975, he resided at the Mission of Our Lady of Mercy on West Jackson Boulevard, where he witnessed the problems of troubled young men, and helped them in their resolution.

On June 15, 1978, Father was appointed to the Board of Consultors of the Archdiocese of Chicago and in 1981 was reappointed for a second term. This group of twelve meets monthly with the Archbishop to advise him on diocesan matters.

At their national convention held in Chicago in October, 1981, the Canon Law Society of American presented Father Dolciamore with their highest award, the ROLE OF LAW AWARD. The award was presented in recognition of his knowledge of the law of the church and its application in a pastoral manner, particularly in the area of marriage validity.