Ogdensburg Bishop To Address Undergrad Class Of 2009
Saturday, May 16 at 11 a.m.
Approximately 730 undergraduate degrees will be conferred. Bishop Cunningham will receive an honorary degree during the ceremony. Honorary degrees will also be conferred upon the Hon. Arthur O. Eve, former New York State Assemblyman, James M. Wadsworth, partner, Hodgson Russ LLP and Amy Betros and Norman S. Paolini Jr. ’69, co-founders and co-directors of St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy.
The Bishop of Ogdensburg since 2004, Bishop Cunningham was recently appointed the 10th Bishop of the Diocese of Syracuse by Pope Benedict XVI. Bishop Cunningham will be installed on May 26, 2009, and serve as the spiritual leader for the more than 250,000 Catholics who reside in seven counties of the diocese.
Born and raised in Buffalo, Bishop Cunningham received his early education in the Western New York area including a bachelor of arts degree and a master of divinity degree from St. John Vianney Seminary in East Aurora.
He was ordained to the priesthood in 1969 by Auxiliary Bishop Bernard J. McLaughlin at St. Joseph New Cathedral in Buffalo. He spent more than three decades in service to the Diocese of Buffalo in positions including secretary to Bishop Edward D. Head, assistant chancellor of the diocese in 1974 and upon completion of his licentiate degree in Canon law from Catholic University of America in 1978, as a judge in the marriage tribunal and vice-chancellor of the Diocese.
He was named a Monsignor by John Paul II in 1984, and a year later, was appointed chancellor of the diocese. Another year later, he was named vicar general. In 2003, the Diocesan College of Consultors in Buffalo elected Msgr. Cunningham diocesan administrator, a position he held until his installation as the Bishop of Ogdensburg.
Bishop Cunningham serves on numerous boards including the Board of Trustees of Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, and in 2008, received its Curé of Ars Award. He is president of the Board of Managers of St. Joseph’s Home in Ogdensburg and the Board of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Ogdensburg.
He served as chairman of Region II (Province of New York) of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and currently serves as a representative from Region II to the Administrative Committee. He also serves on the committee for Priorities and Plans, as well as on the Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People and the sub-committee on Native American Catholics.
Bishop Cunningham returns often to Buffalo to visit his family, a brother and sister-in-law, a sister and brother- in-law, 13 nieces and nephews and 28 grand nieces and grand nephews.
In Buffalo, he served on several boards including Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Buffalo, Baker Victory Services and the Cantalician Center. Bishop Cunningham was a charter member of the Kenmore Mercy Hospital Foundation Board, and in 2004, was honored with the board’s Sister Mechtilde Award for his many years of devoted service.
For more information, contact the Canisius College Office of Public Relations at 716-888-2790.
Canisius College is one of 28 Jesuit colleges in the nation and the premier private college in Western New York. Canisius prepares leaders – intelligent, caring, faithful individuals – able to pursue and promote excellence in their professions, their communities and their service to humanity.
Date released: 4/20/2009
