John Bernard MacGinley
Encyclopedia
John Bernard MacGinley was an Irish
-born clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church
. He served as Bishop of Nueva Caceres (1910-24) and Bishop of Monterey-Fresno
(1924-32).
, the sixth of thirteen children of Thomas Colin and Margaret Theresa (née Sinnott) MacGinley. His father served as principal of Croagh
National School, and was author of General Biology and several works on folklore and scenery of western Donegal. He was educated at St. Eunan's Seminary and Blackrobe College in his native country, and at the Pontifical North American College
in Rome
.
While in Rome, MacGinley was ordained
to the priesthood
by Archbishop Edmund Stonor
on June 8, 1895. He earned a Doctor of Divinity
degree in 1896, and came to the United States
that same year. He then served as a curate
at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, until 1898, when he became professor of Latin
and moral theology
at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary
. He remained at St. Charles for five years, and was made rector
of the seminary at Vigan City
in the Philippines
in 1905. In 1910, he returned to Philadelphia, where he became a curate at St. Charles Church.
On April 2, 1910, MacGinley was appointed Bishop of Nueva Caceres in the Philippines by Pope Pius X
. He received his episcopal
consecration
on the following May 10 from Archbishop Diomede Falconio
, with Bishops John Edmund Fitzmaurice
and Edmond Francis Prendergast
serving as co-consecrators
. Recalled to the United States, he was named Bishop of Monterey-Fresno
, California
, on March 24, 1924. He later resigned due to ill health on September 26, 1932; he was appointed Titular Bishop
of Croae on the same date. He retired to Killybegs
, in his native County Donegal, where he died at age 98.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
-born clergyman 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 served as Bishop of Nueva Caceres (1910-24) and Bishop of Monterey-Fresno
Roman Catholic Diocese of Monterey-Fresno
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Monterey-Fresno was formerly a particular church of the Roman Catholic Church in California, United States. The diocese was composed of the present dioceses of Monterey and Fresno The diocese was erected in 1922—split off from the former Diocese of Monterey-Los...
(1924-32).
Biography
John MacGinley was born in County DonegalCounty Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
, the sixth of thirteen children of Thomas Colin and Margaret Theresa (née Sinnott) MacGinley. His father served as principal of Croagh
Croagh
Croagh is a picturesque small village in County Limerick, Ireland. It is located on the road between Rathkeale and Adare which was part of the N21 national primary road before it was bypassed. It is 14 miles from Limerick City. "Croagh" is from the Irish word "cruach," which is a hill or mountain....
National School, and was author of General Biology and several works on folklore and scenery of western Donegal. He was educated at St. Eunan's Seminary and Blackrobe College in his native country, and 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...
in 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...
.
While in Rome, MacGinley 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....
by Archbishop Edmund Stonor
Edmund Stonor
Most Rev. Edmund Stonor was a prominent British Roman Catholic archbishop.Born into the recusancy on 2 April 1831 at Stonor, England, the ancestral home of the Stonor family, he was the son of Thomas Stonor, 3rd Lord Camoys and Frances . Rev...
on June 8, 1895. He earned a Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
degree in 1896, and came to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
that same year. He then served as a curate
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 the Rosary Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, until 1898, when he became professor of Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
and moral theology
Ethics in religion
Most religions have an ethical component, often derived from purported supernatural revelation or guidance. "For many people, ethics is not only tied up with religion, but is completely settled by it...
at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary
St. Charles Borromeo Seminary
St. Charles Borromeo Seminary is the seminary of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Named for Charles Borromeo, it is located in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania,...
. He remained at St. Charles for five years, and was made rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of the seminary at Vigan City
Vigan City
The City of Vigan is a 5th class city in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. It is the capital of the Province of Ilocos Sur...
in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
in 1905. In 1910, he returned to Philadelphia, where he became a curate at St. Charles Church.
On April 2, 1910, MacGinley was appointed Bishop of Nueva Caceres in the Philippines by Pope Pius X
Pope Pius X
Pope Saint Pius X , born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto, was the 257th Pope of the Catholic Church, serving from 1903 to 1914. He was the first pope since Pope Pius V to be canonized. Pius X rejected modernist interpretations of Catholic doctrine, promoting traditional devotional practices and orthodox...
. He received his episcopal
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....
consecration
Consecration
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups...
on the following May 10 from Archbishop Diomede Falconio
Diomede Falconio
Diomede Angelo Raffaele Gennaro Falconio, OFM was an Italian Cardinal of the Catholic Church. He served as Prefect of the Congregation for Religious from 1916 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1911.-Biography:Diomede Falconio was born in Pescocostanzo as one of the five...
, with Bishops John Edmund Fitzmaurice
John Edmund Fitzmaurice
John Edmund Fitzmaurice was the fourth Roman Catholic Bishop of Erie .Fitzmaurice was born in Newtown-Sandes, County Kerry, and began studying law at age fifteen. In 1858 he came to the United States, where he began his studies for the priesthood at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook,...
and Edmond Francis Prendergast
Edmond Francis Prendergast
Edmond Francis Prendergast was an Irish-born prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Philadelphia from 1911 until his death in 1918.-Biography:...
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...
. Recalled to the United States, he was named Bishop of Monterey-Fresno
Roman Catholic Diocese of Monterey-Fresno
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Monterey-Fresno was formerly a particular church of the Roman Catholic Church in California, United States. The diocese was composed of the present dioceses of Monterey and Fresno The diocese was erected in 1922—split off from the former Diocese of Monterey-Los...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, on March 24, 1924. He later resigned due to ill health on September 26, 1932; he was appointed Titular Bishop
Titular bishop
A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place...
of Croae on the same date. He retired to Killybegs
Killybegs
Killybegs is the largest fishing port in County Donegal and in Ireland. It is located on the south coast of the county, north of Donegal Bay, near Donegal Town. The town is situated at the head of a scenic harbour and at the base of a vast mountainous tract extending northward...
, in his native County Donegal, where he died at age 98.