July 10, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, DC – Today, The Mario E. Dorsonville Foundation (the “Foundation”), was officially launched by a small group of friends that were close with the late Bishop.
The Foundation focuses on three initiatives: (1) the Homeless Mission that Bishop Dorsonville began in 2013, which initiative was formally established as a non-profit in 2018 as the DC Homeless Mission; (2) providing support for organizations committed to serving immigrants; and (3) an effort to increase priest vocations.
Bishop Dorsonville was from Bogotá, Colombia and was ordained to the priesthood on November 23, 1985. He served as Associate Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Bethesda, Maryland for eight years. After serving in many roles within the Archdiocese of Washington, he was named an Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Washington by Pope Francis on March 20, 2015.
On February 1, 2023, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Dorsonville as Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana. On January 19, 2024, Bishop Dorsonville passed away due to health complications.
While in DC, Bishop Dorsonville was known to many as having enormous positivity, joy and dedication to his mission as a priest. He inspired all who knew him, and that yielded him an intense following wherever he went. In 2021, Bishop Dorsonville was named one of Washington, D.C.’s most influential people by the Washingtonian Magazine.
“Today we revive Bishop Dorsonville’s legacy of encountering Christ in others by sustaining the many ministries that he was passionate about. That includes the homeless, newcomers to the United States and young men interested in the priesthood,” said Hank Brown, Director and Chief Executive Officer.
The Foundation and its operating members are planning to roll out many initiatives through the end of 2024 and into 2025. To stay up to date on the latest news and events from the Mario E. Dorsonville Foundation, visit www.dorsonville.org.
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Press Contact
Meagan Saxon
