Timothy Doherty
Encyclopedia
Timothy L. Doherty is an American
Roman Catholic
bishop. He was a priest of the Diocese of Rockford
until he was appointed Bishop of Lafayette in Indiana
by Pope Benedict XVI
on May 12, 2010. It was on July 15, 2010 that Doherty was ordained bishop of the See of Lafayette, becoming the sixth bishop of the diocese
, Illinois
, the eldest of seven children of Lawrence and June (née Anderson) Doherty. He attended St. Mary Minor Seminary in Crystal Lake
from 1964 to 1968. He then attended St. Ambrose College
in Davenport
, Iowa
, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts
degree in 1972. He studied for the priesthood
in Rome
at the Pontifical North American College
and the Pontifical Gregorian University
, receiving a Bachelor of Sacred Theology
degree in 1975. Doherty earned a doctorate in Christian ethics at Chicago's Loyola University in 1995.
a priest of the Diocese of Rockford
by Bishop Arthur J. O'Neill
. His first assignment was as an associate pastor
at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rockford, where he remained for five years. He then furthered his studies at the Pontifical Lateran University
, where he earned a Licentiate of Sacred Theology
in moral theology
from the Alfonsian Academy in 1982.
Following his return to Illinois, Doherty taught religious studies at Boylan Catholic High School
in Rockford from 1982 to 1986. He served as assistant principal and head of the religion department at Marian Central Catholic High School
in Woodstock
from 1986 to 1991. Then beginning his doctoral studies at Loyola University Chicago
, he received a Doctor of Philosophy
degree in Christian Ethics in 1995. That same year, he was appointed diocesan ethicist
for health care
issues, a position which he continues to hold. From 1996 to 1999, he was an associate pastor at OSF St. Anthony College of Nursing Rockford, teaching courses in theology
and health care ethics.
In 1999, Doherty served as parochial administrator of St. James Church in Lee
. He served as pastor
of St. Mary Church in Bryon
from 1999 to 2007. Since 2007, he has been pastor of both St. Catherine of Siena Church in Dundee and St. Mary Mission Church in Gilberts
.
by Pope Benedict XVI
. He succeeded Bishop William Leo Higi
, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 in August 2008. He received his episcopal
consecration
from Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein
on July 15, 2010. Doherty, with the ordination, became the sixth and current bishop of the See of Lafayette.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Roman Catholic
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...
bishop. He was a priest of the Diocese 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...
until he was appointed Bishop of Lafayette in Indiana
Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana
The Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana was established by Pope Pius XII on October 21, 1944, from the territory of the Diocese of Fort Wayne. At that time, there were 54 parishes. The diocese contained approximately 31,700 Roman Catholics at its inception...
by Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
on May 12, 2010. It was on July 15, 2010 that Doherty was ordained bishop of the See of Lafayette, becoming the sixth bishop of the diocese
Early life and education
Timothy Doherty 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,...
, the eldest of seven children of Lawrence and June (née Anderson) Doherty. He attended St. Mary Minor Seminary in Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake, Illinois
Crystal Lake is a city located in southeastern McHenry County in northeastern Illinois, in the Chicago suburbs. It is named after Crystal Lake, a lake located west-southwest of downtown. Crystal Lake is also a suburb of the city of Chicago. The population was 38,000 at the 2000 census, but as of...
from 1964 to 1968. He then attended St. Ambrose College
Saint Ambrose University
St. Ambrose University is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport. It is located in a residential area of Davenport, Iowa.-History:...
in Davenport
Davenport, Iowa
Davenport is a city located along the Mississippi River in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire and was named for his friend, George Davenport, a colonel during the Black Hawk...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, where he earned a 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 in 1972. He studied for 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....
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 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...
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...
, receiving a Bachelor of Sacred Theology
Bachelor of Sacred Theology
The Bachelor of Sacred Theology is a graduate-level academic degree in theology.The Bachelor of Sacred Theology is offered by a number of Pontifical Universities. It is sometimes offered as a graduate degree, for students who have already completed a B.A. or other first degree...
degree in 1975. Doherty earned a doctorate in Christian ethics at Chicago's Loyola University in 1995.
Priesthood
On June 26, 1976, Doherty was ordainedHoly 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....
a priest of the Diocese 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...
by Bishop Arthur J. 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....
. His first assignment was as an 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 the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rockford, where he remained for five years. He then furthered his studies at the Pontifical Lateran University
Pontifical Lateran University
The Pontifical Lateran University is a university by pontifical right based in Rome, Italy. The university also hosts the central session of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family...
, where he earned 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 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...
from the Alfonsian Academy in 1982.
Following his return to Illinois, Doherty taught religious studies at Boylan Catholic High School
Boylan Catholic High School
Boylan Catholic High School is a private Catholic school located in the city of Rockford, Illinois. Founded in 1960, Boylan is the only Catholic high school in Rockford, and has 1187 students at the start of the 2010-2011 school year...
in Rockford from 1982 to 1986. He served as assistant principal and head of the religion department at Marian Central Catholic High School
Marian Central Catholic High School
Marian Central Catholic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Woodstock, Illinois, United States. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockford....
in Woodstock
Woodstock, Illinois
Woodstock is a far northwest suburb of Chicago in McHenry County, Illinois. The population was 20,151 at the 2000 census. The 2010 Census shows 24,770 residents. It is the county seat of McHenry County...
from 1986 to 1991. Then beginning his doctoral studies at Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago is a private Jesuit research university located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1870 under the title St...
, he received a Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
degree in Christian Ethics in 1995. That same year, he was appointed diocesan ethicist
Ethicist
An ethicist is one whose judgment on ethics and ethical codes has come to be trusted by a specific community, and is expressed in some way that makes it possible for others to mimic or approximate that judgement...
for health care
Health care in the United States
Health care in the United States is provided by many separate legal entities. Health care facilities are largely owned and operated by the private sector...
issues, a position which he continues to hold. From 1996 to 1999, he was an associate pastor at OSF St. Anthony College of Nursing Rockford, teaching courses in theology
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...
and health care ethics.
In 1999, Doherty served as parochial administrator of St. James Church in Lee
Lee, Illinois
Lee is a village in DeKalb County, Illinois and Lee County, Illinois. The population was 337 at the 2010 census, up from 313 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lee is located at ....
. He served as pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
of St. Mary Church in Bryon
Byron, Illinois
Byron is a city in Ogle County, Illinois, United States, probably best known as the location of the Byron Nuclear Generating Station, one of the last nuclear power plants commissioned in the United States. Byron is located in Byron Township, along the Rock River. The population was 3,753 at the...
from 1999 to 2007. Since 2007, he has been pastor of both St. Catherine of Siena Church in Dundee and St. Mary Mission Church in Gilberts
Gilberts, Illinois
Gilberts is a village in Kane County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,279 at the 2000 census. The population has grown to 6,154 as of 2009 estimates...
.
Episcopacy
On May 12, 2010, Doherty was appointed the sixth Bishop of Lafayette in IndianaRoman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana
The Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana was established by Pope Pius XII on October 21, 1944, from the territory of the Diocese of Fort Wayne. At that time, there were 54 parishes. The diocese contained approximately 31,700 Roman Catholics at its inception...
by Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
. He succeeded Bishop William Leo Higi
William Leo Higi
Bishop William Leo Higi is Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana, where he served as its fifth bishop from 1984-2010. William Leo Higi was born in Anderson, Indiana, August 29, 1933, and ordained a priest May 30, 1959. Appointed Secretary to Most Reverend John J...
, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 in August 2008. 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...
from Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein
Daniel M. Buechlein
Daniel Mark Buechlein, OSB is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the fifth Archbishop of Indianapolis until his resignation in September 2011; his replacement has not been named by Pope Benedict XVI, so the Archdiocese is a vacant see .- Biography :Daniel Buechlein was...
on July 15, 2010. Doherty, with the ordination, became the sixth and current bishop of the See of Lafayette.