Andrew Joseph McDonald (October 24, 1923 – April 1, 2014) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Little Rock in Arkansas from 1972 to 2000.
Andrew Joseph McDonald | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Little Rock | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| See | Diocese of Little Rock |
| Predecessor | Albert Fletcher |
| Successor | J. Peter Sartain |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | May 8, 1948 by Emmet M. Walsh |
| Consecration | September 5, 1972 by Thomas McDonough |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 24, 1923 |
| Died | April 1, 2014 (aged 90) Palatine, Illinois, US |
| Education | St. Charles College St. Mary's Seminary Catholic University of America Pontifical Lateran University |
| Styles of Andrew McDonald | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reference style | The Most Reverend |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Monsignor |
| Posthumous style | not applicable |
Biography edit
Early life edit
The second youngest of 12 children, McDonald was born in Savannah, Georgia, to James Bernard and Theresa (née McGrael) McDonald.[1] After graduating from Marist School for Boys, he studied at St. Charles College in Catonsville, Maryland. McDonald then attended St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, obtaining a Licentiate of Sacred Theology (1948).[1]
Priesthood edit
McDonald was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Savannah by Bishop Emmet M. Walsh on May 8, 1948.[2] He then attended Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He then traveled to Rome to enter the Pontifical Lateran University, earning a Doctorate in Canon Law in 1951.[3]
Upon his return to the South Carolina, McDonald was named chancellor of the Diocese of Savannah, official of the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal, and curate of a parish in Port Wentworth.[1] He was named a papal chamberlain in 1956 and a domestic prelate in 1959.[1] From 1963 to 1972, McDonald served as pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish; he also served as vicar general of the diocese starting in 1967.[1]
Bishop of Little Rock edit
On July 4, 1972, McDonald was appointed the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Little Rock by Pope Paul VI.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on September 5, 1972, from Archbishop Thomas McDonough, with Archbishop Philip Hannan and Bishop Gerard Frey serving as co-consecrators.[2] McDonald was formally installed as bishop two days later, on September 7.[2]
Unlike his predecessor, Bishop Albert Fletcher, McDonald followed the suggestion of the Second Vatican Council in instituting permanent deacons, largely because of the diocese's shortage of priests.[4] McDonald was opposed to the U.S. Supreme Court's 1973 legalization of abortion rights for women in Roe v. Wade; he later established an anti-abortion office in the diocesan curia and led the annual March for Life each January in Little Rock.[4] In 1982, McDonald invited Mother Teresa to open a home for single mothers in Little Rock.
A dedicated ecumenist, McDonald reached out to other denominations in Arkansas throughout his tenure, and once assisted in promoting a Billy Graham crusade at War Memorial Stadium in 1989.[4] In 1990, McDonald condemned the execution of John Swindler by the State of Arkansas.[4] McDonald became known for his affable personality, his involvement with the laity, and his personal interest in those Catholics under his jurisdiction.[4]
Retirement and legacy edit
On January 4, 2000, Pope John Paul II accepted McDonald's resignation as bishop of Little Rock.[2] Afterwards, McDonald lived outside of Chicago, Illinois, where he served as chaplain for the Little Sisters of the Poor.[4] Andrew McDonald died in Palatine, Illinois, on April 1, 2014, at age 90.
References edit
- ^ a b c d e Motes, Michael. "The Bishops From Georgia". The Georgia Bulletin.
- ^ a b c d e "Bishop Andrew Joseph McDonald". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.[self-published source]
- ^ "Bishop Named to Little Rock; Coadjutor Succeeds in Rockville Centre". United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. 2000-01-04.
- ^ a b c d e f "Most Rev. Andrew J. McDonald". Roman Catholic Diocese of Little Rock. Archived from the original on 2007-12-25. Retrieved 2008-01-17.