Timothy A. McDonnell

Early life and education

Timothy McDonnell was born in New York City to the late John J. and Margaret (née Looney) McDonnell, who were both from County Cork, Ireland.^[1] The eldest of two children, he has a younger brother, John, who is a member of the Marist Brothers and currently serves as vice-provincial of his order's United States Province.^[2] His father was a dockworker for Standard Oil in Brooklyn and later owned a gas station in the Bronx.^[3]

McDonnell attended parochial schools in the Bronx, and was inspired by his great-uncle to pursue a vocation to the priesthood.^[1][3] He then studied at Cathedral College and St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, from where he obtained a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy in 1959.^[2]

Ordination and ministry

On June 1, 1963, McDonnell was ordained a priest by Cardinal Francis Spellman at St. Patrick's Cathedral.^[4] He then served as an associate pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Ardsley and teacher at Maria Regina High School in Hartsdale until 1969. He earned a Master's in Education (Pastoral Counseling) from Iona College 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 in White Plains. He was then named director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in 1977, vice-chancellor for the Archdiocese of New York in 1980, and Monsignor in 1983.^[2]

From 1984 to 1990, McDonnell was pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Manhattan. He briefly served as Episcopal Vicar of West Manhattan (1989–1990). In 1990, he became Chief Operating Officer of the archdiocesan Catholic Charities, as well as being assgined to help run Covenant House following the resignation of Rev. Bruce Ritter.^[1] McDonnell then served as pastor of St. John and St. Mary Parish in Chappaqua from 1993 to 2002, during which time he oversaw a major renovation construction project to accommodate the growing Catholic community.^[1]

Auxiliary Bishop of New York

On October 30, 2001, McDonnell was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of New York and Titular Bishop of Semina by Pope John Paul II.^[4] He received his episcopal consecration on the following December 12 from Cardinal Edward Egan, with Bishops Henry J. Mansell and Robert Anthony Brucato serving as co-consecrators, at St. Patrick's Cathedral.^[4] He selected as his episcopal motto: "Love God and Love Neighbor."^[5]

In addition to his duties as an auxiliary bishop, he served as vicar general of the Archdiocese from 2002 to 2004.^[2]

Bishop of Springfield, Massachusetts

McDonnell was later named the eighth Bishop of Springfield in Massachusetts on March 9, 2004, and was installed at St. Michael's Cathedral on the following April 1.^[4] As Bishop, he serves as the spiritual leader for over 234,000 Catholics in Western Massachusetts.^[6] McDonnell has presided over a number of historic church closings and sales in the diocese.^[7]

Retirement

On June 19, 2014 Pope Francis accepted McDonnell's resignation as bishop of Springfield.^[4]