July 13, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 125 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E630]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        MONSIGNOR MICHAEL DOYLE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD NORCROSS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 13, 2020

  Mr. NORCROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend 
Camden, New Jersey resident Monsignor Michael Doyle on their retirement 
from Sacred Heart Parish.
  Monsignor Michael Doyle came to the United States in 1959 and shortly 
after being ordained as a priest, he choose the Catholic Diocese of 
Camden for his priestly vocation in the late 1950's and started serving 
the City of Camden in 1967. Monsignor Doyle has dedicated his life to 
the pursuit of helping others whether they are in his parish or not, 
and he embodies the principals of transformational love.
  Monsignor Michael Doyle is a celebrated poet, pacifist, and 
provocateur. In 1971, he was a member of the Camden 28, a group of 
anti-Vietnam War activists who plotted to raid the Camden draft board 
office until the plan was revealed to the authorities. Doyle and three 
other Catholic priests were eventually acquitted of their charges. In 
addition, Doyle helped plant crosses memorializing Camden City's murder 
victims in front of Camden City Hall when he felt more could be done to 
stem rampant violence. Monsignor Michael Doyle is also a champion of 
education, improved medical care, community beautification, and 
expanding affordable housing options.
  Doyle solidified his reputation as an advocate for the City of Camden 
when he established the housing nonprofit, Heart of Camden in 1984. The 
charity focuses on restoring dignity and improving the quality of life 
through programs of housing restoration, economic expansion, and human 
development. For almost 40 years Heart of Camden has transformed the 
Waterfront South neighborhood of Camden by building affordable housing, 
cleaning and greening the neighborhood, building new play spaces, 
adding community gardens, and created a vibrant art and cultural 
district. Through putting his heart and soul into transforming the 
Waterfront South District he has made the neighborhood a beautiful up 
and coming community for first time homeowners.
  The retirement of the celebrated Monsignor Michael Doyle from Sacred 
Heart Parish in Camden, New Jersey after more than forty years of 
serving the parish community is well deserved. He has made no plans to 
cease his altruism, as he will continue his fundraising efforts for the 
pre-K to 8 school in the city.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring Monsignor Michael 
Doyle, of Camden, New Jersey, a dedicated and selfless religious leader 
in the City of Camden, New Jersey.

                          ____________________