Thomas G. Doran
Encyclopedia
The Most Reverend Dr. Thomas George Doran (born February 20, 1936), D.D.
, is an American
prelate
of the Roman Catholic Church
. He is the eighth and current Bishop of Rockford
.
, Illinois
, and attended St. James Grade School and Campion High School
, and graduated from Loras College
and St. Pius X Seminary (Dubuque, Iowa)
in 1958. He then furthered his studies in Rome
at the Pontifical Gregorian University
, from where he obtained a Licentiate of Sacred Theology
in 1962. He was ordained
to the priesthood
by Bishop Loras Lane
on December 20, 1961, in St. Peter's Basilica
.
, Doran served in many administrative
, judicial
, and pastoral
capacities before returning to Rome in 1975 to complete a doctorate in canon law
, which he earned in 1978.
He then served as Chancellor
, Judicial Vicar
, Vicar
for Catholic Education
, and Rector
of St. Peter's Cathedral in the Rockford Diocese. In 1986, Pope John Paul II
appointed him to be a Prelate Auditor
of the Sacred Roman Rota
.
by John Paul II. He received his episcopal consecration
on the following June 24 from Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, with Bishops Arthur O'Neill
and Joseph Galante serving as co-consecrators
. He selected as his episcopal motto
: "Spes Anchora Vitae."
As Bishop, Doran is the spiritual leader of 446,859 Catholics in Northwestern Illinois
. In 2000, he was named a member of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura
. He is also a member of the Congregation for the Clergy
, Board of Catholics United for the Faith, Board of Trustees
of the Catholic University of America
, and Institute on Religious Life.
. Before Summorum Pontificum
, Bishop Doran was singled out in an article in The Wanderer as one of the few U.S. bishops "...who have been generous in the Ecclesia Dei
indult application, as requested and emphasized repeatedly by the late Pope John Paul II." The others being Archbishop Raymond Burke
of St. Louis, Bishop Álvaro Corrada del Rio
of Tyler, Texas; and Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz
of Lincoln, Nebraska.
In August 2006, Bishop Doran denounced the rate of abortion
s in the United States
, saying, "We shall soon outstrip the Nazis in doing human beings to death."
In late March 2009, Doran expressed his "dismay and outrage" at the decision of the University of Notre Dame
to have President
Barack Obama
deliver its commencement speech and receive an honorary degree
. He even suggested that Notre Dame change its name to "The Fighting Irish College" or "Northwestern Indiana Humanist University."
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....
, is an American
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 eighth and current Bishop of Rockford
Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockford
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockford is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the northern Illinois region of the United States. The prelate is a bishop serving as pastor of the motherchurch, the Cathedral of Saint Peter in the City of Rockford...
.
Early life
Bishop Thomas Doran was born in RockfordRockford, Illinois
Rockford is a mid-sized city located on both banks of the Rock River in far northern Illinois. Often referred to as "The Forest City", Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County, Illinois, USA. As reported in the 2010 U.S. census, the city was home to 152,871 people, the third most populated...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, and attended St. James Grade School and Campion High School
Campion High School
Campion Jesuit High School was a Jesuit-run boarding school for boys in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin named for the Jesuit martyr Edmund Campion. The school operated from its founding in 1880 until closing in 1975, and educated several notable figures during its existence. The former school's campus...
, and graduated from Loras College
Loras College
Loras College is a four-year Catholic college located in Dubuque, Iowa, with a general attendance of approximately 1,700 students. The school offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs...
and St. Pius X Seminary (Dubuque, Iowa)
St. Pius X Seminary (Dubuque, Iowa)
St. Pius X Seminary is associated with Loras College, Dubuque Iowa, and run under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Dubuque. The seminary prepares Minor Seminarians for the priesthood, specifically preparing candidates for entrance into Major Seminary & Theological studies...
in 1958. He then furthered his studies 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...
at 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...
, from where he obtained a Licentiate of Sacred Theology
Licentiate of Sacred Theology
Licentiate of Sacred Theology is the title of the second cycle of studies of a Faculty of Theology offered by a pontifical universities or ecclesiastical faculties of sacred theology. An Ecclesiastical Faculty offers three cycles of study: Baccalaureate or fundamentals, Licentiate or specialized,...
in 1962. 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....
by Bishop Loras Lane
Loras Thomas Lane
The Most Reverend Dr. Loras Thomas Lane , DD., was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Rockford from 1956 until his death in 1968.-Biography:...
on December 20, 1961, in St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica
The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter , officially known in Italian as ' and commonly known as Saint Peter's Basilica, is a Late Renaissance church located within the Vatican City. Saint Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world...
.
Priest
Upon his return to the Diocese of RockfordRoman Catholic Diocese of Rockford
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockford is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the northern Illinois region of the United States. The prelate is a bishop serving as pastor of the motherchurch, the Cathedral of Saint Peter in the City of Rockford...
, Doran served in many administrative
Curia (Roman Catholic Church)
In Roman Catholicism, a curia consists of a group of officials who assist in the governance of a particular Church. These curias range from the relatively simple diocesan curia, to the larger patriarchal curias, to the Roman Curia, which is the central government of the Catholic Church.Other...
, judicial
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...
, and pastoral
Parish (Catholic Church)
In the Roman Catholic Church, a parish is the lowest ecclesiastical geographical subdivision: from ecclesiastical province to diocese to deanery to parish.-Requirements:A parish needs two things under common law to become a parish...
capacities before returning to Rome in 1975 to complete 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...
, which he earned in 1978.
He then served as 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....
, Judicial Vicar
Judicial vicar
In the Roman Catholic Church, a judicial vicar is an officer of the diocese who has ordinary power to judge cases in the diocesan ecclesiastical court...
, Vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
for Catholic Education
Catholic school
Catholic schools are maintained parochial schools or education ministries of the Catholic Church. the Church operates the world's largest non-governmental school system...
, and 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 St. Peter's Cathedral in the Rockford Diocese. In 1986, 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 ...
appointed him to be a Prelate Auditor
Auditor (ecclesiastical)
In ecclesiastical terminology, an Auditor is a person given authority to hear cases in an ecclesiastical court.- Roman Catholic Church :...
of the Sacred Roman Rota
Sacra Rota Romana
The Tribunal Apostolicum Rotae Romanae — also called the Sacred Roman Rota, and anciently the Apostolic Court of Audience — is the highest appellate tribunal of the Roman Catholic Church, with respect to both Latin-rite members and the eastern-rite members and is, with respect to judicial trials...
.
Bishop
On April 19, 1994, Doran was appointed the eighth Bishop of RockfordRoman Catholic Diocese of Rockford
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockford is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the northern Illinois region of the United States. The prelate is a bishop serving as pastor of the motherchurch, the Cathedral of Saint Peter in the City of Rockford...
by John Paul II. 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 June 24 from Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, with Bishops Arthur O'Neill
Arthur Joseph O'Neill
The Most Reverend Dr. Arthur Joseph O'Neill, D.D. , is an American bishop of the Roman Catholic Church. He is one of oldest American Roman Catholic bishops....
and Joseph Galante 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...
. He selected as his episcopal motto
Motto
A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...
: "Spes Anchora Vitae."
As Bishop, Doran is the spiritual leader of 446,859 Catholics in Northwestern Illinois
Northwestern Illinois
Northwestern Illinois is a geographic region of the state of Illinois within the USA.Northwestern Illinois is generally considered to consist of the following area: Jo Daviess County, Carroll County, Whiteside County, Stephenson County, Winnebago County, Ogle County, and Lee County...
. In 2000, he was named a member of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura
Apostolic Signatura
The Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura is the highest judicial authority in the Catholic Church...
. He is also a member of the Congregation for the Clergy
Congregation for the Clergy
The Sacred Congregation for the Clergy is the congregation of the Roman Curia responsible for overseeing matters regarding priests and deacons not belonging to religious orders...
, Board of Catholics United for the Faith, Board of Trustees
Board of Trustees of The Catholic University of America
As of May 2010, the Board of Trustees at The Catholic University of America was composed of:*Carl A. Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus*Richard D. Banziger, B.A. 1981, Managing Director, Salomon Smith Barney...
of the Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America is a private university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States. It is a pontifical university of the Catholic Church in the United States and the only institution of higher education founded by the U.S. Catholic bishops...
, and Institute on Religious Life.
Views
Bishop Doran was one of the earliest proponents of the Tridentine MassTridentine Mass
The Tridentine Mass is the form of the Roman Rite Mass contained in the typical editions of the Roman Missal that were published from 1570 to 1962. It was the most widely celebrated Mass liturgy in the world until the introduction of the Mass of Paul VI in December 1969...
. Before Summorum Pontificum
Summorum Pontificum
Summorum Pontificum is an Apostolic Letter of Pope Benedict XVI, issued "motu proprio" . The document specified the rules, for the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, for celebrating Mass according to the "Missal promulgated by John XXIII in 1962" , and for administering most of the sacraments in...
, Bishop Doran was singled out in an article in The Wanderer as one of the few U.S. bishops "...who have been generous in the Ecclesia Dei
Indult Catholic
Indult Catholic was a term used to denote a traditionalist Catholic who preferred to attend the older Tridentine form of Mass instead of the ordinary present-day form of the Roman-rite liturgy, the Mass of Paul VI, but who attended only those celebrations that had the explicit approval of the...
indult application, as requested and emphasized repeatedly by the late Pope John Paul II." The others being Archbishop Raymond Burke
Raymond Burke
Raymond Burke may refer to:*Raymond Burke , a New Orleans jazz clarinetist*Raymond H. Burke, United States politician from Ohio...
of St. Louis, Bishop Álvaro Corrada del Rio
Álvaro Corrada del Rio
Álvaro Corrada del Rio, S.J. is an Puerto Rican-American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the second and current Bishop of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico...
of Tyler, Texas; and Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz
Fabian Bruskewitz
Fabian Wendelin Bruskewitz is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the eighth and current Bishop of Lincoln, Nebraska.-Early life and ministry:...
of Lincoln, Nebraska.
In August 2006, Bishop Doran denounced the rate of abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
s in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, saying, "We shall soon outstrip the Nazis in doing human beings to death."
In late March 2009, Doran expressed his "dismay and outrage" at the decision of the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
to have President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
deliver its commencement speech and receive an honorary degree
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
. He even suggested that Notre Dame change its name to "The Fighting Irish College" or "Northwestern Indiana Humanist University."