Robert P. Maginnis
Encyclopedia
Robert Patrick Maginnis (born December 22, 1933) is an American
prelate
of the Roman Catholic Church
. He served as an auxiliary bishop
of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
from 1996 to 2010.
, the youngest of four children of William and Cecilia Maginnis. He received his early education at St. Aloysius Academy in West Chester
. In 1948, he enrolled at St. Joseph's Preparatory School in Philadelphia. After graduating from St. Joseph's in 1952, he began his studies for the priesthood
at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary
in Overbrook. He earned a Bachelor of Arts
degree in 1955.
a priest for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
by Archbishop John Krol on May 13, 1961. He was a member of the first ordination class ordained by Archbishop Krol. His first assignment was as a curate
at Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Abington
, where he remained for three years. He then served at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Chester
from 1964 to 1967. In 1967, he was named assistant director of the Archdiocesan Department of Youth Activities. He later became director of the department in 1981, serving in that position until 1988.
Maginnis was elevated to the rank of Honorary Prelate to His Holiness
on April 24, 1982. From 1988 to 1991, he served as administrator of St. Alphonsus Church in Maple Glen
. He became regional vicar
for Montgomery County
in 1991. He also served as chairman of the state chapter of the Catholic Youth Organization
, chairman of the Catholic Charities
Appeal, archdiocesan moderator of the St. Vincent de Paul Society
, and a member of the city's Youth Services Commission.
of Philadelphia and titular bishop
of Siminina by Pope John Paul II
. He received his episcopal
consecration
on the following March 11 from Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, with Archbishop Francis B. Schulte
and Bishop Edward Peter Cullen
serving as co-consecrators
, at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul. He selected as his episcopal motto
: "Stay with us, Lord" . In addition to his episcopal duties, he served as pastor
of St. Colman Church in Ardmore
from 1996 to 2004.
In 2004, Maginnis was named head of the Secretariat for Evangelization. He also oversaw the Archdiocesan Metropolitan Tribunal, Chancery Office, Office for Consecrated Life, Office for Research and Planning, Office for Black Catholics, and Office for Hispanic Catholics.
in December 2008. His resignation was later accepted by Pope Benedict XVI
on June 8, 2010. He will continue to administer Confirmations
in Chester
and Delaware Counties
, and plans to spend the rest of his retirement reading and studying. He will be replaced as an auxiliary bishop by Monsignor John J. McIntyre
.
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 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 Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in southeastern Pennsylvania, in the United States. It covers the City and County of Philadelphia as well as Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties. The diocese was...
from 1996 to 2010.
Early life and education
Robert Maginnis was born in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, the youngest of four children of William and Cecilia Maginnis. He received his early education at St. Aloysius Academy in West Chester
West Chester, Pennsylvania
The Borough of West Chester is the county seat of Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 18,461 at the 2010 census.Valley Forge, the Brandywine Battlefield, Longwood Gardens, Marsh Creek State Park, and other historical attractions are near West Chester...
. In 1948, he enrolled at St. Joseph's Preparatory School in Philadelphia. After graduating from St. Joseph's in 1952, he began his studies 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....
at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary
St. Charles Borromeo Seminary
St. Charles Borromeo Seminary is the seminary of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Named for Charles Borromeo, it is located in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania,...
in Overbrook. 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 1955.
Priesthood
Maginnis 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 for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in southeastern Pennsylvania, in the United States. It covers the City and County of Philadelphia as well as Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties. The diocese was...
by Archbishop John Krol on May 13, 1961. He was a member of the first ordination class ordained by Archbishop Krol. His first assignment was as a curate
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 Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Abington
Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Abington Township is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 55,310 in as of the 2010 census.Abington Township is one of Montgomery County's oldest communities dating back to before 1700 and being incorporated in 1704. It is home to some of the county's...
, where he remained for three years. He then served at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Chester
Chester, Pennsylvania
Chester is a city in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States, with a population of 33,972 at the 2010 census. Chester is situated on the Delaware River, between the cities of Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware.- History :...
from 1964 to 1967. In 1967, he was named assistant director of the Archdiocesan Department of Youth Activities. He later became director of the department in 1981, serving in that position until 1988.
Maginnis was elevated to the rank of Honorary Prelate to His Holiness
Monsignor
Monsignor, pl. monsignori, is the form of address for those members of the clergy of the Catholic Church holding certain ecclesiastical honorific titles. Monsignor is the apocopic form of the Italian monsignore, from the French mon seigneur, meaning "my lord"...
on April 24, 1982. From 1988 to 1991, he served as administrator of St. Alphonsus Church in Maple Glen
Maple Glen, Pennsylvania
Maple Glen is a census-designated place in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 6,742 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Maple Glen is located at ....
. He became regional 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 Montgomery County
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010, the population was 799,874, making it the third most populous county in Pennsylvania . The county seat is Norristown.The county was created on September 10, 1784, out of land originally part...
in 1991. He also served as chairman of the state chapter of the Catholic Youth Organization
Catholic Youth Organization
A Catholic Youth Organization is an organization for young Catholics. Usually each group uses the church for meeting and gathering, although some have their own premises. It was initiated by Bishop Bernard J...
, chairman of the Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities is a network of charities whose aim is "to provide service to people in need, to advocate for justice in social structures, and to call the entire church and other people of good will to do the same." It is one of the largest charities in the United States...
Appeal, archdiocesan moderator of the St. Vincent de Paul Society
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
The St Vincent de Paul Society is an international Roman Catholic voluntary organization dedicated to tackling poverty and disadvantage by providing direct practical assistance to anyone in need. Active in England & Wales since 1844, today it continues to address social and material need in all...
, and a member of the city's Youth Services Commission.
Episcopacy
On January 24, 1996, Maginnis was appointed auxiliary bishopAuxiliary 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 Philadelphia and titular bishop
Titular 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 Siminina 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 ...
. 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...
on the following March 11 from Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, with Archbishop Francis B. Schulte
Francis B. Schulte
Francis Bible Schulte is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston from 1985 to 1988, and Archbishop of New Orleans from 1989 to 2001.-Biography:...
and Bishop Edward Peter Cullen
Edward Peter Cullen
Edward Peter Cullen is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He was the third Bishop of Allentown. His resignation was accepted on 27 May 2009 by Pope Benedict. . At the same time, Pope Benedict named Msgr...
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...
, at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul. 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...
: "Stay with us, Lord" . In addition to his episcopal duties, 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. Colman Church in Ardmore
Ardmore, Pennsylvania
Ardmore is a census-designated place in Delaware and Montgomery counties in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The population was 12,455 at the 2010 census...
from 1996 to 2004.
In 2004, Maginnis was named head of the Secretariat for Evangelization. He also oversaw the Archdiocesan Metropolitan Tribunal, Chancery Office, Office for Consecrated Life, Office for Research and Planning, Office for Black Catholics, and Office for Hispanic Catholics.
Later life
Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, Maginnis submitted his letter of resignation to the Holy SeeHoly See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
in December 2008. His resignation was later accepted 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 June 8, 2010. He will continue to administer Confirmations
Confirmation (Catholic Church)
Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments through which Catholics pass in the process of their religious upbringing. According to Catholic doctrine, in this sacrament they receive the Holy Spirit and become adult members of the Catholic Church....
in Chester
Chester County, Pennsylvania
-State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-Demographics:As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were...
and Delaware Counties
Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 558,979, making it Pennsylvania's fifth most populous county, behind Philadelphia, Allegheny, Montgomery, and Bucks counties....
, and plans to spend the rest of his retirement reading and studying. He will be replaced as an auxiliary bishop by Monsignor John J. McIntyre
John J. McIntyre (bishop)
John J. McIntyre is an American Roman Catholic priest. He was appointed an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia by Pope Benedict XVI on June 8, 2010 and ordained on August 6, 2010.-Biography:...
.