Mario Eduardo Dorsonville | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Houma–Thibodaux | |
| Church | |
| Province | New Orleans |
| See | Houma–Thibodaux |
| Appointed | February 1, 2023 |
| Installed | March 29, 2023 |
| Term ended | January 19, 2024 |
| Predecessor | Shelton Fabre |
| Successor | Simon Peter Engurait |
| Previous posts |
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| Orders | |
| Ordination | November 23, 1985 by Mario Revollo Bravo |
| Consecration | April 20, 2015 by Donald Wuerl,Óscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga,William E. Lori |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1960-10-31)October 31, 1960 Bogotá, Colombia |
| Died | January 19, 2024(2024-01-19) (aged 63) |
| Education | |
| Motto | Sacerdos in aeternum (Latin for 'A priest forever') |
| Styles of Mario Eduardo Dorsonville-Rodríguez | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reference style | |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Bishop |
Mario Eduardo Dorsonville-Rodríguez (October 31, 1960 – January 19, 2024) was aColombian-bornAmerican Catholic prelate who served as thebishop of Houma–Thibodaux in Louisiana from March 2023 until his death in January 2024. He was an auxiliary bishop in theArchdiocese of Washington in the District of Columbia and parts of Maryland from 2015 to 2023.
Mario Eduardo Dorsonville-Rodríguez was born on October 31, 1960, inBogotá,Colombia, to Carlos Dorsonville and Leonor Rodríguez.[1] He studied for the priesthood at theTheological Seminary of Bogotá where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy in 1981 and aBachelor of Sacred Theology degree in 1985.[2][3]
On November 23, 1985, Dorsonville was ordained a priest at thePrimatial Cathedral of Bogotá by CardinalMario Bravo for theArchdiocese of Bogotá.[1][4] After his ordination, Dorsonville served as associate pastor at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Bogotá until 1986, then as chaplain of theNational University of Colombia until 1987. That same year, he was appointedpastor of San Jose de Calasanz Parish in Bogotá. Dorsonville was also associate chaplain and professor of ethics at National University. He completed aLicentiate in Sacred Theology at thePontifical Xavierian University in Bogotá in 1991.[1]
In 1992, Dorsonville moved to Washington, D.C., to study at theCatholic University of America. While studying there, he served as associate pastor at Good Shepherd Parish inAlexandria, Virginia, and Christ the Redeemer Parish inSterling, Virginia. He also lectured at theInter-American Development Bank in Washington and at the Hispanic Apostolate of Arlington.[citation needed]
Dorsonville returned to Colombia in 1995 and served for a year as chaplain and professor ofbusiness ethics at National University and professor of pastoral counseling andcatechesis at theMajor Seminary.[2][1]
In 1996, Dorsonville moved back to Washington to complete hisDoctor of Ministry degree at the Catholic University. He was assigned in 1997 as associate pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish inBethesda, Maryland. Deciding to live permanently in the United States, Dorsonville wasincardinated, or transferred, in 1999 from the Archdiocese of Bogotá to the Archdiocese of Washington.[5][1]
In 2004, Dorsonville became assistant pastor of St. Mark the Evangelist Parish inHyattsville, Maryland. In 2005, he was appointed vice president for mission of theCatholic Charities of Washington and director of the Spanish Catholic Center. He completed an executive certificate in non-profit management atGeorgetown University in Washington in 2009. In 2011 he took on the additional responsibilities of adjunct spiritual director ofSt. John Paul II Seminary in Washington. He also served on the board of directors forCarroll Publishing Company (2000–2003), was a member of the priest council for the archdiocese (2000–2015), and served as mentor for newly ordained priests (2010–2011) and held a membership in thecollege of consultors (2011–2015).[2][1]
On March 20, 2015,Pope Francis named Dorsonvilletitular bishop ofKearney and an auxiliary bishop of Washington. He received his episcopal consecration on April 20, 2015, at theCathedral of St. Matthew in Washington, D.C., from CardinalDonald Wuerl, with CardinalÓscar Rodríguez Maradiaga and ArchbishopWilliam Lori as co-consecrators.[5][5]
On February 29, 2020, Dorsonville addressed a hearing on refugees by the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship at theUS House of Representatives. He said:[6]
Today I am here to echo the Holy Father’s message: to recognize that we must at all times, but particularly at this moment of great global turmoil, recognize the most vulnerable and welcome them to the extent we are able.[6]
Dorsonville released a statement on August 20, 2021, calling on theBiden Administration to address the refugee influx created by theTaliban takeover of Afghanistan that month.[7] On September 29, 2021, during ahomily, Dorsonville asked parishioners to become actively involved in helping Afghan refugees.[8]
On February 1, 2023, Pope Francis appointed Dorsonville as bishop ofHouma–Thibodaux.[9][10] He was installed on March 29, 2023. Dorsonville died at theOchsner Medical Center in Kenner, Louisiana, on January 19, 2024, due to complications from liver disease at age 63.[11][12][4]
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Bishop of Houma–Thibodaux 2023–2024 | Succeeded by Simon Peter Engurait (bishop elect) |
| Preceded by | Titular Bishop of Kearney 2015–2023 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by — | Auxiliary Bishop of Washington 2015–2023 | Succeeded by — |
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