Joseph Crescent McKinney
Encyclopedia
Joseph Crescent McKinney (September 10, 1928 – June 9, 2010) was a late 20th century and early 21st century bishop
of the Catholic Church in the United States
. He served as auxiliary bishop
of the Diocese of Grand Rapids
in the state of Michigan
from 1968-2001.
to Joseph and Antoinette McKinney. He was the oldest of four children. He grew up attending St. Mary’s Church and was educated at the parish grade school. He attended high school at St. Joseph Seminary in Grand Rapids and college at the Seminaire de Philosophie in Montreal
, Canada
. McKinney studied for the priesthood at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome
, where he received a licentiate in sacred theology. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Grand Rapids on December 20, 1953 at the Chapel of Propaganda Fide. From 1953-1962 Father McKinney served on the faculty of St. Joseph Seminary. From 1962-1968 he served as a parish priest in Indian River
, Mt. Pleasant and Conklin.
of Leontium and the Auxiliary Bishop of Grand Rapids. He was ordained a bishop by Archbishop
John Francis Dearden of Detroit
on September 26, 1968. Bishops Allen James Babcock
of Grand Rapids and Charles Salatka
of Marquette
acted as principal co-consecrators. In addition to Bishop Babcock, he served as auxiliary bishop to Bishops Joseph M. Breitenbeck
and Robert John Rose
.
As auxiliary bishop, McKinney served as diocesan vicar general
, rector
of the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, as a member of the diocesan College of Consultors, as well as other boards and committees of the diocese. While auxiliary bishop he served as pastor
of St. Stephen’s Church in East Grand Rapids
, Holy Trinity Church in Alpine and Our Lady of Consolation Church in Rockford
. He also served as the national liaison to the charismatic renewal for the Catholic bishops of the United States.
On October 3, 2001, Pope John Paul II accepted Bishop McKinney’s resignation as auxiliary bishop. He had served the Grand Rapids diocese for 33 years in that capacity. Following his retirement, Bishop McKinney continued to assist the diocesan bishop in liturgical ceremonies and in whatever way needed. He died at the age of 81 after an extended illness.
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the Catholic Church in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He served as 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 Diocese of Grand Rapids
Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids is a diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in western Michigan, in the United States. It comprises 102 churches in Ottawa, Kent, Ionia, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Montcalm, Mecosta, Lake, Mason, and Osceola counties in Michigan. The diocese was created on...
in the state of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
from 1968-2001.
Early Life and Ministry
Joseph McKinney was born in Grand Rapids, MichiganGrand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
to Joseph and Antoinette McKinney. He was the oldest of four children. He grew up attending St. Mary’s Church and was educated at the parish grade school. He attended high school at St. Joseph Seminary in Grand Rapids and college at the Seminaire de Philosophie in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. McKinney studied for the priesthood at the Pontifical Urban University 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...
, where he received a licentiate in sacred theology. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Grand Rapids on December 20, 1953 at the Chapel of Propaganda Fide. From 1953-1962 Father McKinney served on the faculty of St. Joseph Seminary. From 1962-1968 he served as a parish priest in Indian River
Indian River, Michigan
Indian River is an unincorporated community in Cheboygan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a census-designated place for statistical purposes and is not legally recognized as a municipality. The population was 2,008 at the 2000 census....
, Mt. Pleasant and Conklin.
Auxiliary Bishop of Grand Rapids
On July 24, 1968 Pope Paul VI named McKinney Titular BishopTitular 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 Leontium and the Auxiliary Bishop of Grand Rapids. He was ordained a bishop by 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...
John Francis Dearden of Detroit
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit is an archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church covering the Michigan counties of Lapeer, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, and Wayne...
on September 26, 1968. Bishops Allen James Babcock
Allen James Babcock
Allen James Babcock was an American Roman Catholic clergyman. He was born in Bad Axe, Michigan, and ordained to the priesthood on March 7, 1925. On February 15, 1947, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit and Titular Bishop of Irenopolis in Cilicia by Pope Pius XII...
of Grand Rapids and Charles Salatka
Charles Salatka
Charles Alexander K. Salatka was the second Roman Catholic Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the ninth bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette, Michigan....
of Marquette
Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette is a suffragan diocese of the Roman rite, encompassing all of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, in the ecclesiastical province of the Archbishop of Detroit. It encompasses an area of 16,281 square miles .Its cathedral is St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette,...
acted as principal co-consecrators. In addition to Bishop Babcock, he served as auxiliary bishop to Bishops Joseph M. Breitenbeck
Joseph M. Breitenbeck
Joseph Matthew Breitenbeck was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He was the eighth Bishop of Grand Rapids from 1969 to 1989, having previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit .-Early life and education:Breitenbeck was born in Detroit, Michigan, one of...
and Robert John Rose
Robert John Rose
Robert John Rose is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Gaylord and Bishop of Grand Rapids .-Biography:...
.
As auxiliary bishop, McKinney served as diocesan 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...
, 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 Cathedral of Saint Andrew, as a member of the diocesan College of Consultors, as well as other boards and committees of the diocese. While auxiliary bishop 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. Stephen’s Church in East Grand Rapids
East Grand Rapids, Michigan
East Grand Rapids is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is a suburb of Grand Rapids and is located on the shore of Reeds Lake. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 10,694.-Geography:...
, Holy Trinity Church in Alpine and Our Lady of Consolation Church in Rockford
Rockford, Michigan
Rockford is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 5,719. It is on the Rogue River and is only a few miles north of Grand Rapids.- History :...
. He also served as the national liaison to the charismatic renewal for the Catholic bishops of the United States.
On October 3, 2001, Pope John Paul II accepted Bishop McKinney’s resignation as auxiliary bishop. He had served the Grand Rapids diocese for 33 years in that capacity. Following his retirement, Bishop McKinney continued to assist the diocesan bishop in liturgical ceremonies and in whatever way needed. He died at the age of 81 after an extended illness.