Summary of Rhode Island House Resolution HR 6428

Overview

• Bill Type: House Resolution ( ceremonial / recognition )
• Bill Number: HR 6428
• Title: House Resolution joyful celebrating the 30th anniversary of the ordination of Father Bernard A. Healey to the Priesthood on June 24, 2025
• Introduced: June 20, 2025
• Status: House read and passed on June 20, 2025
• Classification: Resolution (no fiscal impact or policy changes)

Purpose and Intent

• The resolution formally and joyously celebrates the 30th anniversary of Father Bernard A. Healey’s ordination to the priesthood (June 24, 1995), recognizing his thirty years of service to Rhode Island and his work with marginalized communities.
• It highlights his commitment to improving quality of life for Rhode Islanders facing poverty, illness, or personal despair, and it catalogs his various roles and contributions within the church and state.

Key Provisions

• Acknowledges Father Healey’s life, education, ordination, and decades of service to the Diocese of Providence and the Rhode Island community.
• Declares the House’s joyous celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of his ordination.
• Directs the Secretary of State to transmit a duly certified copy of the resolution to Father Bernard A. Healey.
• Contains biographical details and enumerates Father Healey’s professional roles and honors (highlights below).

Background on Father Bernard A. Healey (as cited in the resolution)

• Education:
  • BA in Politics, Catholic University (1987)
  • Seminarian/theology studies at American College, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium
  • Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.) and Licentiate in Canon Law (J.C.L.) from Leuven
• Ordination: Priesthood for the Diocese of Providence, June 24, 1995
• Pastoral assignments: St. Mary, Star of the Sea (Narragansett); St. Augustine (Providence); Pastor of St. Ambrose (Albion, 2003–2012); Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy (East Greenwich, since 2012)
• Other roles: Chaplain to the Rhode Island Capitol Police and East Greenwich Police Department; Theological Consultant and Editorial Writer for the Rhode Island Catholic; Chief Lobbyist to the Rhode Island General Assembly (since 1999); Director of the Rhode Island Catholic Conference
• Board and community involvement: Various diocesan boards and Catholic education initiatives; member of several faith-based and community organizations
• Honors: Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre; multiple awards for service and advocacy

Affected Parties and Impact

• Primary beneficiary: Father Bernard A. Healey
• Broader impact: Rhode Island religious and civic community that recognizes clergy contributions; no new laws, policies, or funding obligations are created
• Administrative action: Secretary of State required to transmit a certified copy of the resolution to Father Healey

Procedural History and Timeline

• Introduced and referred: June 20, 2025 (Rhode Island General Assembly)
• Action: House of Representatives read and passed the resolution on the same day (June 20, 2025)
• Next steps: With passage, the resolution stands as an official expression of the House; a certified copy is sent to Father Healey