Thomas McDonnell (bishop)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thomas McDonnell (8 November 1912 – 9 December 1987) was an Irish prelate who served as Bishop of Killala.[1]
He was born in Ballycastle, County Mayo, in 1912. He went to St Patrick's College, Maynooth, in 1930, where he earned a First Class Honours degree in classics.
He was ordained priest on 23 June 1937. Two of his classmates ordained on the same day would also serve as Irish bishops, William Cardinal Conway and Patrick Mulligan. All three entered Maynooth's Dunboyne Institute, and in 1939 McDonnell was awarded a Doctorate of Divinity on the topic of Mass Stipends.[2]
His first pastoral appointment was as Diocesan Examiner which necessitated him travelling throughout the primary schools of the small diocese, examining the catechetical learning of the children to be presented for confirmation, and supporting teachers who were giving this instruction. He was appointed Administrator of the Diocesan Cathedral in 1961, and two years later Parish Priest of Dromore West in County Sligo.[citation needed]
