Eugene J. McGuinness

Summary

Eugene Joseph McGuinness (September 6, 1889 – December 27, 1957) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Raleigh in North Carolina (1937–1944) and as bishop of the Diocese of Oklahoma City-Tulsa in Oklahoma (1948–1957).


Eugene Joseph McGuinness
Bishop of Oklahoma City-Tulsa
Church
DioceseOklahoma City
InstalledFebruary 1, 1948
Term endedDecember 27, 1957
PredecessorFrancis C. Kelley
SuccessorVictor J. Reed
Orders
OrdinationMay 22, 1915
by Edmond Francis Prendergast
ConsecrationDecember 21, 1937
by Dennis Joseph Dougherty
Personal details
Born(1889-09-06)September 6, 1889
DiedDecember 27, 1957(1957-12-27) (aged 68)
Previous post(s)
Styles of
Eugene McGuinness
Reference styleThe Most Reverend
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleMonsignor
Posthumous stylenone

Early life edit

Eugene McGuinness was born on September 6, 1889, in Hellertown, Pennsylvania, to Daniel and Mary (née Flood) McGuinness.[1] He received his early education at the parochial school of Holy Infancy Parish in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.[1] He attended St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, then earned Doctor of Both Laws and Doctor of Sacred Theology degrees from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines.[1]

Priesthood edit

McGuinness was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia by Archbishop Edmond Prendergast on May 22, 1915.[2] He then served as a curate at St. Paul's Parish, St. Agatha's Parish, St. John's Parish, and at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, all in Philadelphia.[1] McGuinness was assistant director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith (1917–1919), and field secretary (1919–1920) as well as vice-president (1920–1924) of the Catholic Church Extension Society.[1] McGuinness served as executive secretary of the American Board of Catholic Missions (1923–1937), and was named a domestic prelate by the Vatican in 1929.[1]

Bishop of Raleigh edit

On October 13, 1937, McGuinness was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Raleigh by Pope Pius XI.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on December 21, 1937, from Cardinal Dennis Dougherty, with bishops William O'Brien and Hugh L. Lamb serving as co-consecrators.[2]

Coadjutor Bishop and Bishop of Oklahoma City edit

McGuinness was appointed coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Oklahoma City-Tulsa and titular bishop of Ilium on November 11, 1944, by Pope Pius XII.[2] After the death of Bishop Francis Kelley on February 1, 1948, McGuinness automatically succeeded him as the third Bishop of Oklahoma City-Tulsa.[2] During his nine-year administration, McGuinness saw the Catholic population in the state grow by almost 40 percent and received 1,242 adult converts in 1957 alone.[3] Priestly and religious vocations flourished, and he made trips to Ireland and Poland to recruit clergy.[3]

Eugene McGuinness died on December 27, 1957, at age 68.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f Curtis, Georgina Pell (1961). The American Catholic Who's Who. Vol. XIV. Grosse Pointe, Michigan: Walter Romig.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Bishop Eugene Joseph McGuinness". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. February 25, 2024. Retrieved April 18, 2024.[self-published source]
  3. ^ a b "Oklahomanization: 1945-1957". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. Archived from the original on 2008-12-23. Retrieved 2009-12-29.

External links edit

  • Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
  • Roman Catholic Diocese of Raleigh, North Carolina
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Oklahoma City-Tulsa
1945–1957
Succeeded by
Preceded by Bishop of Raleigh
1938–1944
Succeeded by