James Michael Moynihan
Encyclopedia
James Michael Moynihan is an American
prelate
of the Roman Catholic Church
. He is the ninth Bishop of Syracuse
.
, New York
, to Michael Joseph and Carolyn Elizabeth (née Horigan) Moynihan; he has one sister, Carol Anne. He graduated Nazareth Hall School for Boys in 1946, and then attended St. Andrew's Seminary High School until 1950, and St. Andrew and St. Bernard Seminary College, graduating in 1954 with his Bachelor of Arts
degree. Moynihan then traveled to Rome
, where he studied at the Pontifical North American College
, from where he obtained his licentiate in theology
, and the Pontifical Gregorian University
, earning a doctorate in canon law
summa cum laude
. He was ordained
to the priesthood
, for the Diocese of Rochester
, by Archbishop Martin O'Connor
on December 15, 1957, at the chapel
of the North American College.
Upon his return to the United States
, Moynihan became associate pastor
at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Rochester in 1961, also serving as defender of the bond
and promoter of justice in the diocesan
tribunal
(1961–1966). He was the private secretary
of Bishop James Kearney
from 1963 to 1966, and was later made Vice-Chancellor
(1965) and Chancellor (1967) of Rochester.
In the capacity of Catholic chaplain
, Moynihan served the Monroe County
jail
, Rochester police department (1962–1973), and Highland Hospital (1974–1976). Moynihan then served as pastor of St. Joseph's Church in Penfield
until 1991, whence he became associate secretary general of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association
, the successful registration of which with the U.S. Agency for International Development
he was responsible for. In addition to his other duties, he was director
of the Bishop's Annual Catholic Thanksgiving Appeal from 1985 to 1989. He was raised to the rank of Chaplian to His Holiness
in 1993.
On April 4, 1995, Moynihan was appointed the ninth Bishop of Syracuse
by Pope John Paul II
. He received his episcopal consecration
on the following May 29 from John Cardinal O’Connor, with Bishops Joseph O'Keefe
and Matthew Clark
serving as co-consecrators
. In 1998, Moynihan removed Fr. Richard McBrien
as a columnist
for the diocesan newspaper
, replacing him with the more theologically
conservative
writer George Weigel
, much to the clergy's dismay. In November 2001 he released a pastoral letter to the people of Syracuse entitled Equipping the Saints for the Work of Ministry.
The Bishop is a founding member of the Bishop Sheen Ecumenical Housing Foundation, named after the Servant of God
Fulton J. Sheen
, as well.
He retired on 26 May 2009. He was succeeded by Bishop Robert J. Cunningham.http://www.syrdio.org/pressreleases.asp?id=123
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
prelate
Prelate
A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy who is an ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin prælatus, the past participle of præferre, which means "carry before", "be set above or over" or "prefer"; hence, a prelate is one set over others.-Related...
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He is the ninth Bishop of Syracuse
Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse
The Diocese of Syracuse is a Catholic diocese headquartered in Syracuse, New York, USA. The current bishop is the Most Rev. Robert J. Cunningham. The Diocese of Syracuse includes 350,000 Catholics residing in seven counties of Central and South Central New York State...
.
Biography
James Moynihan was born in RochesterRochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, to Michael Joseph and Carolyn Elizabeth (née Horigan) Moynihan; he has one sister, Carol Anne. He graduated Nazareth Hall School for Boys in 1946, and then attended St. Andrew's Seminary High School until 1950, and St. Andrew and St. Bernard Seminary College, graduating in 1954 with his Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree. Moynihan then traveled to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, where he studied at the Pontifical North American College
Pontifical North American College
The Pontifical North American College is a Roman Catholic educational institution in Rome, Italy educating seminarians for the dioceses in the United States and providing a residence for American priests studying in Rome. It was founded in 1859 by Blessed Pope Pius IX and was granted pontifical...
, from where he obtained his licentiate in theology
Licentiate in Theology
The Licentiate of Theology or the Licence in Theology is a theological qualification commonly awarded for ordinands and laymen studying theology in the United Kingdom, Malta, Canada, Australia and New Zealand...
, and the Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Gregorian University
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits...
, earning a doctorate in canon law
Doctor of Canon Law
Doctor of Canon Law is the doctoral-level terminal degree in the studies of canon law of the Roman Catholic Church.It may also be abbreviated I.C.D. or dr.iur.can. , ICDr., D.C.L., D.Cnl., D.D.C., or D.Can.L. . Doctor of both laws are J.U.D...
summa cum laude
Latin honors
Latin honors are Latin phrases used to indicate the level of academic distinction with which an academic degree was earned. This system is primarily used in the United States, Canada, and in many countries of continental Europe, though some institutions also use the English translation of these...
. He was ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
to the priesthood
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
, for the Diocese of Rochester
Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester is a diocese of the Catholic Church in the Greater Rochester region of New York State in the United States. The region that the Diocese comprises extends from its northern border on the south shore of Lake Ontario through the Finger Lakes region to its...
, by Archbishop Martin O'Connor
Martin John O'Connor
Martin John O'Connor was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as rector of the Pontifical North American College and president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications ....
on December 15, 1957, at the chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
of the North American College.
Upon his return to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Moynihan became associate pastor
Curate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Rochester in 1961, also serving as defender of the bond
Defender of the Matrimonial Tie
The Defender of the Bond, or Defensor Matrimonii in Latin, is a Catholic church official whose duty is to defend the marriage-bond in the procedure prescribed for the hearing of matrimonial causes which involve the validity or nullity of a marriage already contracted.Benedict XIV, by his Bull "Dei...
and promoter of justice in the diocesan
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
tribunal
Ecclesiastical court
An ecclesiastical court is any of certain courts having jurisdiction mainly in spiritual or religious matters. In the Middle Ages in many areas of Europe these courts had much wider powers than before the development of nation states...
(1961–1966). He was the private secretary
Personal assistant
A personal assistant or personal aide is someone who assists in daily business or personal tasks. It is common in design to have a PDA, or personal design assistant....
of Bishop James Kearney
James E. Kearney
James Edward Kearney was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Salt Lake City and Bishop of Rochester .-Biography:...
from 1963 to 1966, and was later made Vice-Chancellor
Chancellor (ecclesiastical)
Two quite distinct officials of some Christian churches have the title Chancellor.*In some churches, the Chancellor of a diocese is a lawyer who represents the church in legal matters....
(1965) and Chancellor (1967) of Rochester.
In the capacity of Catholic chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
, Moynihan served the Monroe County
Monroe County, New York
Monroe County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 744,344. It is named after James Monroe, fifth President of the United States of America. Its county seat is the city of Rochester....
jail
Jail
A jail is a short-term detention facility in the United States and Canada.Jail may also refer to:In entertainment:*Jail , a 1966 Malayalam movie*Jail , a 2009 Bollywood movie...
, Rochester police department (1962–1973), and Highland Hospital (1974–1976). Moynihan then served as pastor of St. Joseph's Church in Penfield
Penfield, New York
Penfield is a town in Monroe County, New York, United States. The population was 36,242 at the 2010 census.The town was incorporated in 1810 by the proprietor, Daniel Penfield, who purchased the town lands in 1795 and moved to the area in 1809. Penfield is a suburb of Rochester, New York...
until 1991, whence he became associate secretary general of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association
Catholic Near East Welfare Association
The Catholic Near East Welfare Association is an agency of the Holy See, founded by Pope Pius XI in 1926 to support the churches and peoples of the Middle East, Northeast Africa, India and Eastern Europe. Its first President was Edmund A. Walsh, S.J. The current President is the Reverend Monsignor...
, the successful registration of which with the U.S. Agency for International Development
United States Agency for International Development
The United States Agency for International Development is the United States federal government agency primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid. President John F. Kennedy created USAID in 1961 by executive order to implement development assistance programs in the areas...
he was responsible for. In addition to his other duties, he was director
Executive director
Executive director is a term sometimes applied to the chief executive officer or managing director of an organization, company, or corporation. It is widely used in North American non-profit organizations, though in recent decades many U.S. nonprofits have adopted the title "President/CEO"...
of the Bishop's Annual Catholic Thanksgiving Appeal from 1985 to 1989. He was raised to the rank of Chaplian to His Holiness
Monsignor
Monsignor, pl. monsignori, is the form of address for those members of the clergy of the Catholic Church holding certain ecclesiastical honorific titles. Monsignor is the apocopic form of the Italian monsignore, from the French mon seigneur, meaning "my lord"...
in 1993.
On April 4, 1995, Moynihan was appointed the ninth Bishop of Syracuse
Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse
The Diocese of Syracuse is a Catholic diocese headquartered in Syracuse, New York, USA. The current bishop is the Most Rev. Robert J. Cunningham. The Diocese of Syracuse includes 350,000 Catholics residing in seven counties of Central and South Central New York State...
by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
. He received his episcopal consecration
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
on the following May 29 from John Cardinal O’Connor, with Bishops Joseph O'Keefe
Joseph Thomas O'Keefe
Joseph Thomas O'Keefe was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Syracuse from 1987 to 1995.-Biography:...
and Matthew Clark
Matthew H. Clark
Matthew Harvey Clark is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the eighth and current Bishop of Rochester.-Early life and education:Matthew Clark was born in Waterford, New York, to Matthew and Grace Clark...
serving as co-consecrators
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
. In 1998, Moynihan removed Fr. Richard McBrien
Richard McBrien
Richard Peter McBrien is the Crowley-O'Brien Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. He is a priest of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford and the author of several controversial books and articles discussing Catholicism. He is most well known for his authorship of Catholicism...
as a columnist
Columnist
A columnist is a journalist who writes for publication in a series, creating an article that usually offers commentary and opinions. Columns appear in newspapers, magazines and other publications, including blogs....
for the diocesan newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
, replacing him with the more theologically
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
writer George Weigel
George Weigel
George Weigel is an American author, and political and social activist. He currently serves as a Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center. Weigel was the Founding President of the James Madison Foundation...
, much to the clergy's dismay. In November 2001 he released a pastoral letter to the people of Syracuse entitled Equipping the Saints for the Work of Ministry.
The Bishop is a founding member of the Bishop Sheen Ecumenical Housing Foundation, named after the Servant of God
Servant of God
Servant of God is a title given to individuals by various religions, but in general the phrase is used to describe a person believed to be pious in his or her faith tradition. In the Catholic Church, it designates someone who is being investigated by the Church for possibly being recognized as a...
Fulton J. Sheen
Fulton J. Sheen
Servant of God Fulton John Sheen, born Peter John Sheen was an American archbishop of the Catholic Church known for his preaching and especially his work on television and radio...
, as well.
He retired on 26 May 2009. He was succeeded by Bishop Robert J. Cunningham.http://www.syrdio.org/pressreleases.asp?id=123