Fr. Patrick J. Dolan Appointed “Special Liaison to the Apostolat Militaire International and The Holy See”

Ft. Knox, Kentucky (8 May 2024) - On Sunday, CMA-US President SSgt. Nicholas Cammaroto appointed Father Brigadier General (CH) Patrick J. Dolan, USA (ret.) “Special Liaison to the Apostolat Militaire International and The Holy See.” This monumental step is another leap forward in the involvement of CMA-US on the world stage, and in building strong Catholic military lay communities across the DoD.

Founded in the wake of the Second World War, The Apostolate Militaire International (AMI) is a Vatican-recognized, multinational, non-governmental organization dedicated to perpetuating the Christian ideals of Catholic military personnel both in the armed forces and in public life. The organization comprising nearly fifty member nations, functions as a reliable resource for The Holy See through the Vatican Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life on strategic matters and warfare.

Father Dolan brings a breadth of gifts and experience to his role, and to the Apostolate. In addition to serving as the senior American delegate to AMI for nearly two decades, he currently serves on the AMI Executive Committee as the Ecclesiastical Advisor, as confirmed and appointed by The Holy See. In addition to his close relationships across AMI, he also brings a strong set of qualifications to the table.

Father Dolan earned a Doctorate in Chemistry at the University of Indiana in 1974 before being ordained in 1978 in the Archdiocese of Louisville, KY. After his ordination, he studied at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas in Rome, where he ultimately earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in Sacred Theology, as well as a Licentiate in Sacred Theology. It was during his time in Rome that he heard the call to the U.S. Army Chaplaincy when he encountered a number of American military families stationed in Europe.

Commissioned into the Army as a Chaplain in 1987, he served on Active Duty with the 2nd Armored Division and the 2nd Infantry Division both in the U.S. and abroad, while retaining a secondary designation as a Chemical Officer. He transitioned to the Kentucky Army National Guard in 1992, where he ministered to his Soldiers and ultimately ascended to the role of State Chaplain. In 2010, he was promoted to Brigadier General by the U.S. Congress and served as the Army National Guard’s Assistant Chief of Chaplains.

Father Dolan attended the U.S. Army War College, and Harvard University’s Senior Service College Fellowship in 2005. Prior to that, he had returned to the Pontifical Academy of Saint Thomas where he earned a Doctorate in Sacred Theology in 1997.

Father Dolan is Airborne and Air Assault Qualified, and is also a Pathfinder. He deployed to the Middle East four times in support of the Global War on Terrorism to include Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he served in combat with the 1st Infantry Division, and was decorated with the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, and Army Commendation Medal.

“One of the greatest joys in this Apostolate is seeing the Holy Spirit qualify the called and how that truly sanctifies the military life and impacts our service members in living their Catholic faith…” said SSgt Cammaroto, "But just as exciting is when, at times, He sees fit to call the qualified. Father Dolan’s work in AMI, and many contributions to the Apostolate, fill us all with great confidence and a sense of excitement for the future!”

In his role as Special Liaison, Fr. Dolan will represent CMA-US and American interests to both AMI and The Holy See in daily operations. He will develop and implement American initiatives and contributions to AMI and will advise the CMA-US National Board of Directors on Catholic military matters worldwide. He will handle requests for support from the AMI Executive Committee and The Holy See, and through fostering valuable personal relationships, will prayerfully devote his efforts to minister to Catholic American service members both at home and abroad.