John F. Donoghue
Encyclopedia
John Francis Donoghue served as the as the second Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte
and then as the fifth Archbishop
of the Archdiocese of Atlanta in the United States of America.
He was born and raised in Washington, D.C.
, the second of four brothers born to Irish immigrant parents, Daniel and Rose (née Ryan) Donoghue. On June 4, 1955, after receiving a Bachelor's Degree
in Philosophy
and a graduate degree in Sacred Theology
from St. Mary's Seminary and University
in Baltimore, Maryland and Roland Park, Maryland, and after ordination to the transitional diaconate, he was ordained to the priesthood for the presbyterate of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington
, by the then-Archbishop of Washington, Patrick O'Boyle, who would be elevated to the Cardinalate. While originally planning to remain a parish priest, he was asked in 1964 to study for a Licentiate
in Canon Law
, and was then assigned to the Archbishop of Washington's Office (he did serve in a variety of parish assignments).
For the next 18 years, he served on the staff under three successive Cardinal Archbishops of Washington: Cardinals Patrick O'Boyle (deceased), William Wakefield Baum, and James Aloysius Hickey (deceased). From 1972 until 1983, he also filled the offices of Chancellor
and Vicar General
for that Archdiocese; in 1984 he also became Moderator of the Archdiocesan Curia, serving in that capacity until his episcopal ordination. He was consecrated and installed as a Bishop on December 18, 1984, following his appointment by Pope John Paul II
, as the second Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte
.
In June 1993, he was appointed as the fifth Metropolitan Archbishop of Atlanta, Georgia
by John Paul II, replacing the Most Reverend James P. Lyke
, O.F.M., who had died of cancer on December 27, 1992, after only two years in office. He led the Archdiocese for over ten years. Donoghue retired as Archbishop on December 9, 2004, and was succeeded by Wilton D. Gregory
, who had served as an Auxiliary Bishop
of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago
.
Donoghue died, on November 11, 2011, aged 83. His body lay in state at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
until his Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM on November 17 at the Cathedral of Christ the King.
Donoghue's episcopal motto
was: "To Live In Christ Jesus".
Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, formally in Latin Dioecesis Carolinana, is a diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the southern United States comprising the counties of western North Carolina divided into ten vicariates named for and administered from Albemarle, Asheville, Boone,...
and then as the fifth Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of the Archdiocese of Atlanta in the United States of America.
He was born and raised in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, the second of four brothers born to Irish immigrant parents, Daniel and Rose (née Ryan) Donoghue. On June 4, 1955, after receiving a Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
and a graduate degree in Sacred 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...
from St. Mary's Seminary and University
St. Mary's Seminary and University
St. Mary's Seminary and University is a Roman Catholic seminary in Baltimore, Maryland; it was the first seminary founded in the United States of America.-History:...
in Baltimore, Maryland and Roland Park, Maryland, and after ordination to the transitional diaconate, he was ordained to the priesthood for the presbyterate of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington is a particular church of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. It comprises the District of Columbia and Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George's and Saint Mary's counties in the state of Maryland....
, by the then-Archbishop of Washington, Patrick O'Boyle, who would be elevated to the Cardinalate. While originally planning to remain a parish priest, he was asked in 1964 to study for a Licentiate
Licentiate
Licentiate is the title of a person who holds an academic degree called a licence. The term may derive from the Latin licentia docendi, meaning permission to teach. The term may also derive from the Latin licentia ad practicandum, which signified someone who held a certificate of competence to...
in Canon Law
Canon law
Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
, and was then assigned to the Archbishop of Washington's Office (he did serve in a variety of parish assignments).
For the next 18 years, he served on the staff under three successive Cardinal Archbishops of Washington: Cardinals Patrick O'Boyle (deceased), William Wakefield Baum, and James Aloysius Hickey (deceased). From 1972 until 1983, he also filled the offices of Chancellor
Chancellor
Chancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the...
and Vicar General
Vicar general
A vicar general is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority. As vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop's ordinary executive power over the entire diocese and, thus, is the highest official in a diocese or other particular...
for that Archdiocese; in 1984 he also became Moderator of the Archdiocesan Curia, serving in that capacity until his episcopal ordination. He was consecrated and installed as a Bishop on December 18, 1984, following his appointment 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 ...
, as the second Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte
Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, formally in Latin Dioecesis Carolinana, is a diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the southern United States comprising the counties of western North Carolina divided into ten vicariates named for and administered from Albemarle, Asheville, Boone,...
.
In June 1993, he was appointed as the fifth Metropolitan Archbishop of Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
by John Paul II, replacing the Most Reverend James P. Lyke
James P. Lyke
James Patterson Lyke, O.F.M. was an African American clerygman of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Atlanta from 1991 to 1992.-Biography:...
, O.F.M., who had died of cancer on December 27, 1992, after only two years in office. He led the Archdiocese for over ten years. Donoghue retired as Archbishop on December 9, 2004, and was succeeded by Wilton D. Gregory
Wilton D. Gregory
Wilton Daniel Gregory is an African American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the sixth and current Archbishop of Atlanta, having previously served as Bishop of Belleville and Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago...
, who had served as an Auxiliary Bishop
Auxiliary bishop
An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago
The Archdiocese of Chicago was established as a diocese in 1843 and as an Archdiocese in 1880. It serves more than 2.3 million Catholics in Cook and Lake counties in Northeastern Illinois, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The Archdiocese is divided into six vicariates and 31 deaneries...
.
Donoghue died, on November 11, 2011, aged 83. His body lay in state at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Sacred Heart Basilica
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, formerly called the Sacred Heart Church, is the first Roman Catholic basilica in Georgia. The Church was designated as a basilica on February 22, 2010.-Building:...
until his Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM on November 17 at the Cathedral of Christ the King.
Donoghue's 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...
was: "To Live In Christ Jesus".