Bishop Patrick McKenna
Encyclopedia
The Most Rev. Dr. Patrick McKenna (9 August 1868 – 7 February 1942) was a Roman Catholic Bishop of Clogher
in Ireland
.
Born at Moybridge in the parish of Errigal Truagh,County Monaghan, he studied at St. Macartan's College, Monaghan and Maynooth College. He was a Catholic priest in the Diocese of Clogher
, Ireland
, ordained in 1894. Following post-graduate studies at Maynooth he returned to the Diocese to serve as curate in the parish of Currin. He had taught for a time in St. Kieran's College, Kilkenny, following which he returned to Clogher Diocese to become curate in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh. He was appointed Professor of Moral Theology & Canon Law in Maynooth in 1904.
He was appointed the Roman Catholic Bishop of Clogher
on 1 June 1909, following the death of his predecessor, Richard Owens
.
He was ordained bishop on 10 October 1909. During his term he had to contend with political strife and enormous political change, most especially the effects of the partition of Ireland- which also partioned his diocese. He was a strong supporter of the Irish language and culture and did not hide from aligning himself with Nationalist and Republican leaders such as Eoin O'Duffy
, on one occasion giving O'Duffy a glowing reference for a post with Monaghan County Council
. While he regularly condemned the actions of the British forces in Ireland and the excesses of the IRA during the Irish War of Independence
, he supported the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921. However, he also opposed partition and was specially mindful of the nationalist people of his diocese who were cut off from the new Irish Free State
.
As a Bishop he was very popular among his priests and people and his clerical changes of priests between parishes became known as promotions rather than transfers. He introduced many changes to Diocesan policy, particularly regarding the celebrations of funerals. He died in office on 7 February 1942 having served as bishop of his diocese for just over thirty-two years. McKenna was succeeded by Eugene O'Callaghan
.
The Ulster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association
(Ulster GAA
) has a Gaelic Football competition, the Dr. McKenna Cup, named after the bishop. He presented the Dr. McKenna Cup to the Ulster Council GAA in 1925. It was first played for in 1927.
Bishop of Clogher
The Bishop of Clogher is an episcopal title which takes its name after the village of Clogher in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Following the Reformation, there are now parallel apostolic successions: one of the Church of Ireland and the other of the Roman Catholic Church.-History:Clogher is one...
in Ireland
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 at Moybridge in the parish of Errigal Truagh,County Monaghan, he studied at St. Macartan's College, Monaghan and Maynooth College. He was a Catholic priest in the Diocese of Clogher
Roman Catholic Diocese of Clogher
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Clogher was formed in 1111 at the Synod of Rathbreasail as the see for the Kingdom of Uí Chremthainn. The Diocese consists of County Monaghan, much of County Fermanagh with parts of Counties Tyrone, and Donegal...
, Ireland
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...
, ordained in 1894. Following post-graduate studies at Maynooth he returned to the Diocese to serve as curate in the parish of Currin. He had taught for a time in St. Kieran's College, Kilkenny, following which he returned to Clogher Diocese to become curate in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh. He was appointed Professor of Moral Theology & Canon Law in Maynooth in 1904.
He was appointed the Roman Catholic Bishop of Clogher
Bishop of Clogher
The Bishop of Clogher is an episcopal title which takes its name after the village of Clogher in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Following the Reformation, there are now parallel apostolic successions: one of the Church of Ireland and the other of the Roman Catholic Church.-History:Clogher is one...
on 1 June 1909, following the death of his predecessor, Richard Owens
Richard Owens
Richard Owens is a former professional football player. He played tight end for the Minnesota Vikings, who acquired him as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at Louisville....
.
He was ordained bishop on 10 October 1909. During his term he had to contend with political strife and enormous political change, most especially the effects of the partition of Ireland- which also partioned his diocese. He was a strong supporter of the Irish language and culture and did not hide from aligning himself with Nationalist and Republican leaders such as Eoin O'Duffy
Eoin O'Duffy
Eoin O'Duffy was in succession a Teachta Dála , the Chief of Staff of the Irish Republican Army , the second Commissioner of the Garda Síochána, leader of the Army Comrades Association and then the first leader of Fine Gael , before leading the Irish Brigade to fight for Francisco Franco during...
, on one occasion giving O'Duffy a glowing reference for a post with Monaghan County Council
Monaghan County Council
Monaghan County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Monaghan in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment. The county seat is at Monaghan Council Offices...
. While he regularly condemned the actions of the British forces in Ireland and the excesses of the IRA during the Irish War of Independence
Irish War of Independence
The Irish War of Independence , Anglo-Irish War, Black and Tan War, or Tan War was a guerrilla war mounted by the Irish Republican Army against the British government and its forces in Ireland. It began in January 1919, following the Irish Republic's declaration of independence. Both sides agreed...
, he supported the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921. However, he also opposed partition and was specially mindful of the nationalist people of his diocese who were cut off from the new Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
.
As a Bishop he was very popular among his priests and people and his clerical changes of priests between parishes became known as promotions rather than transfers. He introduced many changes to Diocesan policy, particularly regarding the celebrations of funerals. He died in office on 7 February 1942 having served as bishop of his diocese for just over thirty-two years. McKenna was succeeded by Eugene O'Callaghan
Eugene O'Callaghan
Eugene O'Callaghan was a priest in the Archdiocese of Armagh, ordained on 21 June 1913. Having served as curate in Armagh City for a period, he was then appointed as Administrator of the Cathedral parish of Armagh. He was responsible for building the parish church of St Malachy's in that city...
.
The Ulster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
(Ulster GAA
Ulster GAA
The Ulster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, and handball in the province of Ulster. The headquarters of the Ulster GAA is based in Armagh City....
) has a Gaelic Football competition, the Dr. McKenna Cup, named after the bishop. He presented the Dr. McKenna Cup to the Ulster Council GAA in 1925. It was first played for in 1927.