Thomas Joseph McDonough

Early life and ministry

McDonough was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Michael Francis and Mary Margaret (Nolan) McDonough. After graduating from West Philadelphia Catholic High School, he studied at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Hugh L. Lamb on May 26, 1938. In 1941 he earned a Doctor of Canon Law from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He was transferred to the Diocese of St. Augustine in Florida, where he served as pastor of St. Joseph's Church in Loretto (1942–1943) and rector of the Cathedral of St. Augustine (1943–1945). He also served as chancellor (1944–1947) and vicar general (1947–1957) of the diocese.

Auxiliary Bishop of St. Augustine

On March 10, 1947, McDonough was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine, Florida and Titular Bishop of Thenae by Pope Pius XII. He received his episcopal consecration on the following April 30 from Cardinal Dennis Joseph Dougherty, with Bishops Emmet M. Walsh and J. Carroll McCormick serving as co-consecrators. At the age of 35 years, he was then the youngest member of the American hierarchy. During his tenure as an auxiliary, he was responsible for a great deal of land purchasing, fund-raising and church building, and worked with African Americans.

Bishop of Savannah

McDonough was named Auxiliary Bishop of Savannah, Georgia, on January 2, 1957, and later succeeded Gerald O'Hara as the tenth Bishop of Savannah on March 2, 1960. He attended the Second Vatican Council from 1962 to 1965 during the Civil Rights Movement, and signed the "Pentecost Statement" of the bishops of the Atlanta Province, condemning racial discrimination as contrary to Christian principles.

Archbishop of Louisville

Pope Paul VI promoted McDonough to Archbishop of Louisville, Kentucky, on March 1, 1967. A self-described "Vatican II bishop," he implemented the Council's reforms and guided the Archdiocese through an intensive period of activity and change. His tenure saw advances made in liturgical renewal, ecumenism, and lay involvement. After fourteen years as Archbishop, he resigned on September 29, 1981.

Reaction to Roe v. Wade

On January 22, 1973, when the Supreme Court issued the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion, McDonough issued a statement calling the day "Blue Monday" and saying that it was "overtly a violation of individual rights. It comes at a time too when efforts have been made to close down the war in Vietnam and to save the lives of all the people who have been endangered by that war. Now we hear the highest court in the land has declared an assault upon the life of the unborn child."

Death

McDonough died in Darby, Pennsylvania, aged 86. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Louisville.