Joseph P. McFadden

The Most Reverend
Joseph P. McFadden
Bishop of Harrisburg
Province Philadelphia
Diocese Harrisburg
Installed August 18, 2010
Term ended May 2, 2013
Predecessor Kevin C. Rhoades
Successor Ronald William Gainer
Orders
Ordination May 16, 1981
Consecration July 28, 2004
by Justin Francis Rigali
Personal details
Born (1947-05-22)May 22, 1947
West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died May 2, 2013(2013-05-02) (aged 65)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Denomination Roman Catholic Church
Coat of arms {{{coat_of_arms_alt}}}
Styles of
Joseph McFadden
Reference style The Most Reverend
Spoken style Your Excellency
Religious style Monsignor

Joseph Patrick McFadden (May 22, 1947 – May 2, 2013) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. Formerly an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, he was installed as Bishop of Harrisburg on August 18, 2010.[1] He served in that position until his death in 2013.

Early life and education

Joseph McFadden was born in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Thomas and Ellen (née Griffin) McFadden.[2] His parents were Irish immigrants, and one of his sisters is a member of the Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Immaculata, PA.[3] He received his early education at the parochial school of Our Lady of Lourdes Church[4] in Overbrook, and attended St. Thomas More High School for Boys[5] in Philadelphia from 1961 to 1965.[2] At St. Thomas, he was a member of the National Honor Society, a player on the varsity basketball team, and the class valedictorian.[2]

McFadden then attended St. Joseph's University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in politics in 1969.[3] He played on the freshmen basketball team at St. Joseph's, and also coached at St. Thomas More High School and West Catholic Boys High School.[2] Following his graduation from St. Joseph's, he joined the faculty of West Catholic Boys High School, where he taught social studies.[6] In addition to his teaching duties, he coached the junior varsity basketball team and served as the school's athletic director.[6]

In 1976, McFadden decided to study for the priesthood, a vocation he had considered "through high school and when [he] went to college."[3] That year he entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree summa cum laude.[2]

Priesthood

On May 16, 1981, McFadden was ordained a priest by Cardinal John Krol at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.[7] His first assignment was as a parochial vicar at St. Laurence Church[8] in Highland Park, where he remained for one year.[3] From 1982 to 1993, he served as administrative secretary to Cardinal Krol.[3] He was named an Honorary Prelate of His Holiness on May 29, 1991.[2]

It was during McFadden's service as a secretary to Cardinal Krol that Krol is believed to have excused and enabled the sexual abuse of hundreds of children within the Philadelphia Archdiocese.[9]

In 1993, McFadden became the first president of Cardinal O'Hara High School in Springfield.[3] During his eight-year tenure, he increased the school's enrollment from 1,540 students to 2,000 students, and initiated the "Laptops for Learning" program.[2] From 2001 to 2004, he served as pastor of St. Joseph's Church[10] in Downingtown.[3] In addition to his academic and pastoral duties, he served as chaplain to the Serra Club (1987–2001) and the Ancient Order of Hibernians (1986–95), spiritual director of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, and director of the archdiocesan pilgrimages to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.[11]

Episcopacy

Philadelphia

On June 28, 2004, McFadden was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and titular bishop of Horreomargum by Pope John Paul II.[7] He received his episcopal consecration on the following July 28 from Cardinal Justin Francis Rigali, with Bishops Robert P. Maginnis and Michael Francis Burbidge serving as co-consecrators, at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.[7] He selected as his episcopal motto: "Mary the Model - Jesus the Center".[12]

Later that year, McFadden expressed his opposition to the holding of a gay rights event at his alma mater of Saint Joseph's University, saying, "While the Church asks that we recognize the unique dignity of every human person, it does not mean supporting a lifestyle that is contrary to the natural law".[13] He was considered one of the likely candidates to succeed Donald Wuerl as Bishop of Pittsburgh following the latter's promotion to Archbishop of Washington.[14]

As an auxiliary bishop, McFadden headed the Secretariat of Catholic Education in the archdiocesan curia. As a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, he served on the Committee on Catholic Education and the Task Force on Faith Formation and Sacramental Practice.[1] Bishop McFadden played a pivotal role in closing both Northeast Catholic High School for boys and Cardinal Dougherty High School.

Harrisburg

On June 22, 2010, McFadden was appointed the tenth Bishop of Harrisburg by Pope Benedict XVI.[7] His installation took place on August 18, 2010.[15]

Bishop McFadden died suddenly in Philadelphia on May 2, 2013 while attending a meeting of the Catholic bishops of Pennsylvania.[16]

References

  1. 1 2 "NOMINA DEL VESCOVO DI HARRISBURG (U.S.A.)". Vatican Information Service. 2010-06-22.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Curriculum Vitae of Most Reverend Joseph P. McFadden". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Robinson, Bryan G. (2004-06-17). "St. Joseph pastor promoted to auxiliary bishop". Downingtown Ledger.
  4. ↑ "Home".
  5. ↑ "Welcome to STMforever.com - St. Thomas More Alumni Association".
  6. 1 2 Palmo, Rocco (2010-06-22). "In River City, Two for Tuesday". Whispers in the Loggia.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Bishop Joseph Patrick McFadden". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
  8. ↑ "SAINTLAURENCEPARISH.ORG".
  9. ↑ PDF of Grand Jury Report
  10. ↑ "St. Joseph Parish of Downingtown -".
  11. ↑ "Two new auxiliary bishops for Philadelphia". Catholic News Agency. 2004-06-08.
  12. ↑ "The Coat of Arms of The Most Reverend Joseph P. McFadden, D.D., V.G.". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
  13. ↑ The Catholic Standard and Times. Truth behind Rainbow Week November 4, 2004
  14. ↑ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Replacing Wuerl: 8 bishop candidates emerge July 23, 2006
  15. ↑ "Pope Benedict XVI names Bishop Joseph P. McFadden as Bishop of Harrisburg". Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg.
  16. ↑ Harrisburg Bishop Joseph McFadden Dies

Media related to Joseph P. McFadden at Wikimedia Commons

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Kevin C. Rhoades		 Bishop of Harrisburg
2010–2013 		Succeeded by
Ronald William Gainer
Preceded by
–		 Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia
2004–2010 		Succeeded by
–


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