EARLY YEARS
* Born in Troy, New York, 1938
* Attended St. Patrick's School and LaSalle Institute, Troy
* Entered the seminary in 1956
* Holds earned degrees in philosophy and theology; did post-graduate studies in social services; holds honorary degrees from five universities
* Ordained in Rome, Italy, Dec. 18, 1963
EARLY PRIESTHOOD
* Served as associate pastor of St. Joseph's Church in Schenectady and Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany, and as chaplain at the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Albany
* Established Providence House, a referral and crisis intervention center in the South End of Albany
* Founded Hope House in Albany, a residential treatment facility for those with addictions
* Helped found LIVCORP to assist those with developmental disabilities
* Served on several diocesan committees and boards, including the ecumenical/interreligious commission, and as director of Priests' Personnel and vicar general
AS BISHOP
* Appointed Bishop of Albany by Pope Paul VI on Feb. 1, 1977
* Ordained and installed as the ninth Bishop of Albany, March 27, 1977
* Appointed to committees of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, including Marriage and Family Life, Human Values, and Communication
* Appointed by Pope John Paul II to the Vatican's Secretariat for Non-Believers
* Hosted ground-breaking televised retreat in 1979; also hosted TV retreats in 1980 and 2000
* Authored two pastoral letters to Catholics in the Albany Diocese, outlining his goals of shared responsibility and collaboration in the work of the Church, and encouraging lay ministries
* Has been a leader in pro-life efforts, for example, suing to prevent an abortion clinic from opening in Albany and serving as president of New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty
* Brought St. Bernard's Institute to Albany, the only graduate school of theology in the region
* Led the celebration of the Sesquicentennial of the Albany Diocese in 1997
* Introduced the Renew program for spiritual growth to the Diocese in 1984-87 and in 1998-2000 to provide Catholics with a means of growth in spirituality, prayer and living out their faith
* Has been a leader in ecumenical and interfaith relationships locally and nationally
* Presided at a history-making Palm Sunday service of reconciliation between Christians and Jews at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in 1986
* Serves as episcopal liaison from the U.S. bishops to the National Catholic AIDS Network and to the Ladies of Charity USA
* Serves as chair of the New York bishops' public policy committee