Timothy Anthony McDonnell | |
|---|---|
| Bishop Emeritus of Springfield in Massachusetts | |
| Archdiocese | Boston |
| Diocese | Springfield in Massachusetts |
| Appointed | March 9, 2004 |
| Installed | April 1, 2004 |
| Retired | June 19, 2014 |
| Predecessor | Thomas Ludger Dupré |
| Successor | Mitchell T. Rozanski |
| Previous post |
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| Orders | |
| Ordination | June 1, 1963 by Francis Spellman |
| Consecration | December 12, 2001 by Edward Egan,Henry J. Mansell, andRobert Anthony Brucato |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1937-12-23)December 23, 1937 (age 87) |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| Parents | John J. McDonnell Margaret Looney McDonnell |
| Alma mater | Saint John's Seminary Iona College |
| Motto | Love God and love neighbor |
| Styles of Timothy Anthony McDonnell | |
|---|---|
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| Reference style | |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Bishop |
Timothy Anthony McDonnell (born December 23, 1937) is an Americanprelate of theRoman Catholic Church. McDonnell served asbishop of theDiocese of Springfield in Massachusetts from 2004 to 2014 and as an auxiliary bishop of theArchdiocese of New York from 2001 to 2004.
Timothy McDonnell was born on December 23, 1937, in New York City to John J. and Margaret (née Looney) McDonnell, both fromCounty Cork,Ireland.[1] The eldest of two children, he has a younger brother, John McDonnell, who was a member of theMarist Brothers and served as vice-provincial of theUnited States Province.[2] Their father was a dockworker forStandard Oil Corporation inBrooklyn and later owned a gas station in theBronx.[3]
Timothy McDonnell attendedparochial schools in theBronx and was inspired by his great-uncle to pursue a vocation to thepriesthood.[1][3] He then studied atCathedral College in Queens, New York, andSt. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, New York, where he obtained aBachelor of Philosophy degree in 1959.[2]
On June 1, 1963, McDonnell was ordained a priest for theArchdiocese of New York by CardinalFrancis Spellman atSt. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan.[4]
After his ordination, McDonnell served as anassociate pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish inArdsley, New York, and as a teacher atMaria Regina High School in Hartsdale, New York until 1969. McDonnell earned a Master of Education inpastoral counseling degree fromIona College in New Rochelle, New York, in 1970.[2]
From 1970 to 1977, McDonnell was assistant director of the archdiocesan Office for Christian and Family Development, while also serving as a chaplain at Cardinal McCloskey School and Home for Children inWhite Plains, New York. He was then named director of theSociety for the Propagation of the Faith in 1977, vice-chancellor for the archdiocese in 1980, and monsignor by the Vatican in 1983.[2]
From 1984 to 1990, McDonnell served aspastor of Holy Trinity Parish inManhattan. He briefly served asepiscopal vicar of the West Manhattan area (1989–1990). In 1990, he became chief operating officer of the archdiocesan chapter ofCatholic Charities. He was also assigned to help runCovenant House in Manhattan following the resignation of its president, ReverendBruce Ritter.[1]
In 1993, McDonnell became pastor of St. John and St. Mary Parish inChappaqua, New York, serving there until 2002. While in Chappaqua, he oversaw a major renovation construction project at the church.[1]
On October 30, 2001,Pope John Paul II appointed McDonnell asauxiliary bishop of New York andtitular bishop of Semina.[4] He was consecrated on December 12, 2001, by CardinalEdward Egan, with Bishops Henry J. Mansell andRobert Brucato serving as co-consecrators, atSt. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan.[4] McDonnell selected as his episcopalmotto:"Love God and Love Neighbor."[5]
In addition to his duties as an auxiliary bishop, McDonnell served asvicar general of the archdiocese from 2002 to 2004.[2] In May 2003, McDonnell reported to the archdiocesan priests council on the reorganization and possible consolidation of parishes within the archdiocese.[6]
On March 9, 2004, John Paul II named McDonnell as the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts. He was installed on April 1, 2004, atSt. Michael's Cathedral in Springfield.[4] McDonnell has presided over a number of historic church closings and sales in the diocese.[7]
In May 2004, McDonnell liquidated a fund designed to help priests accused ofsexual misconduct. The fund had been set up by then BishopThomas Dupré in late 2003. The existence of the fund had provoked conflict between McDonnell and one of his parish priests, James Scahill. Scahill had been withholding part of the parish collection to protest continued diocese support of ReverendRichard Lavigne, who had been convicted of child molestation in 1992. During a heated exchange at a council meeting in May 2004, McDonnell accused Scahill of calling him a "Vatican lackey". When Scahill denied it, McDonnell said that he was worse than Lavigne and dismissed him from the meeting[8][9]
A few days after his installation, McDonnell had met with amediator about settling several sexual abuse lawsuits against the diocese. In July 2004, the diocese announced a $7 million settlement with 46 victims of child sexual abuse, many of whom had been molested by Levigne.[10] By September, 2004, McDonnell and Scahill had reconciled their differences and performed mass together at Scahill's church. During the service, McDonnell apologized to Scahill for his remarks from the May 2004 council meeting.[11]
In 2006, McDonnell signed a letter with the other Catholic bishops ofMassachusetts urging support for a proposed amendment to theMassachusetts Constitution to bansame sex marriage.[12]
On June 19, 2014,Pope Francis accepted McDonnell's letter of resignation as bishop of Springfield in Massachusetts.[4]
| Catholic Church titles | ||
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| Preceded by – | Bishop Emeritus of Springfield in Massachusetts 2014–present | Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by | Bishop of Springfield in Massachusetts 2004–2014 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by – | Auxiliary Bishop of New York 2001–2004 | Succeeded by – |
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