John R. McGann explained

Birth Date:December 2, 1924
John R. McGann
Diocese:Diocese of Rockville Centre
Enthroned:June 24, 1976
Ended:January 4, 2000
Predecessor:Walter P. Kellenberg
Successor:James T. McHugh
Ordination:June 3, 1950
Consecration:January 7, 1971
Birth Place:Brooklyn, New York, US
Death Place:Rockville Centre, New York, US
Type:Bishop
Bishop of Rockville Centre
titular bishop of Morosbisdus
Buried:Cemetery of the Holy Rood
Church:Roman Catholic Church
Honorific Prefix:His Excellency, The Most Reverend
Education:Cathedral Preparatory Seminary
Immaculate Conception Seminary

John Raymond McGann (December 2, 1924 – January 29, 2002) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, in New York from 1976 to 2000. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the same diocese from 1970 to 1976.

Biography

Early life and education

John McGann was born on December 2, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York, to Thomas and Mary (née Ryan) McGann.[1] His twin sister, who took the name Sr. John Raymond McGann joined the Sisters of Saint Joseph in Brentwood, Long Island, becoming general superior of the congregation in 1978. A second sibling, Sr. Thomas Joseph, also joined the Sisters of Saint Joseph.[2]

He received his early education at the parochial school of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, graduating in 1938.[3] He then began his studies for the priesthood at Cathedral College in Brooklyn, and afterwards attended Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington, New York, from 1944 to 1950.[4]

Ordination and ministry

On June 3, 1950, McGann was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Brooklyn by Bishop Thomas E. Molloy.[5] His first assignment was as a curate at St. Anne's Parish in Brentwood, New York, where he served for seven years.[1] He also served as an assistant chaplain at Pilgrim State Hospital and a professor at St. Joseph's Academy, both in Brentwood (1950–1954).[4]

In 1957, McGann was named assistant personal secretary to Bishop Walter P. Kellenberg and assistant chancellor of the newly erected Diocese of Rockville Centre.[3] He became personal secretary to Bishop Kellenberg in 1959, and was named a papal chamberlain by Pope John XXIII that same year.[1] In addition to his pastoral work at St. Agnes Cathedral, he was made vice-chancellor of the diocese in 1967 and served as secretary of the diocesan board of consultors.[3]

Auxiliary Bishop and Bishop of Rockville Centre

On November 12, 1970, McGann was appointed auxiliary bishop of Rockville Centre and titular bishop of Morosbisdus by Pope Paul VI.[5] He received his episcopal consecration on January 7, 1971, from Bishop Kellenberg, with Bishops Vincent Baldwin and Charles Mulrooney serving as co-consecrators.[5] On May 3, 1976, McGann was appointed bishop of Rockville Centre by Paul VI. He was elected treasurer of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1984.[4]

Retirement and death

Pope John Paul II accepted McGann's resignation as bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre on January 4, 2000.[5] He was succeeded by Bishop James T. McHugh, who had served as his coadjutor bishop since 1999.[5] John McGann died at Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre on January 31, 2002, at age 77.[4]

The Radiology & Imaging Center at Mercy Medical Center is named for Bishop McGann,[6] as is Bishop McGann-Mercy High School.[7] Bishop John R. McGann Village is a senior low income housing apartment in Bay Shore, New York.

Two unnamed women alleged in 2019 through an attorney that McGann and other clergy and personnel of the diocese sexually abused them as children in the 1960s and '70s.[8]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Curtis, Georgina Pell. The American Catholic Who's Who. XXI. 1977. Walter Romig. Grosse Pointe, Michigan.
  2. https://www.globalsistersreport.org/news/former-general-superior-sisters-st-joseph-new-york-dies-91-36596 "Former general superior of Sisters of St. Joseph in New York dies at 91", Catholic News Service, January 14, 2016
  3. News: Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre. Bishop McGann's Biography.
  4. News: 2002-01-31. The New York Times. Bishop John McGann, 77, Dies on Long Island. Kelley. Tina.
  5. News: Catholic-Hierarchy.org. Bishop John Raymond McGann.
  6. https://www.gcnews.com/articles/mercy-dedicates-radiology-center/ "Mercy Dedicates Radiology Center", Garden City News, June 5, 2009
  7. http://www.mcgann-mercydhs.org/mcgann_mercyorg/section/50/index.html Bishop McGann-Mercy High School
  8. Web site: Two women accuse Bishop John McGann, others of sexually abusing them as children at St. Agnes Cathedral.