Donal McKeown
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Donal McKeown D.D. L.Th. B.A. is the Catholic Titular Bishop of Cell Ausaille and Auxiliary Bishop in The Diocese of Down and Connor. He was born on 12 April 1950 in Belfast and baptised in St. Patrick's Pro-Cathedral in Donegall Street, though his childood was spent in Randalstown, Co. Antrim.
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[edit] Early career
He entered the Diocesan seminary, Saint Malachy’s College, in 1968, and studied at Queen’s University, Belfast, where he obtained a Bachelor's Degree in German. From 1973 to 1978 he studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, obtaining the degree of Licentiate in Theology.
After Ordination to the Priesthood in 1977, he was chaplain at Mater Infirmorum Hospital in Belfast (1977–78), and taught successively at St. patrick's college, knock (1978–83), St MacNissi’s College, Garron Tower (1983–87) and St. Malachy's College, Belfast in 1987. Since 1995 he was President of St. Malachy's College.
[edit] Auxiliary Bishop of Down & Connor
On the 22 February 2001, he was appointed Titular Bishop of Killossy and Auxiliary Bishop of The Diocese of Down and Connor.
The Episcopal Ordination of The Most Reverend Dr McKeown took place in Saint Peter's Cathedral, Belfast. The Most Reverend Patrick Walsh, Bishop of Down and Connor, was the Principal Consecrator. He was assisted by His Excellency The Most Reverend Giuseppe Lazzarotto, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland and The Most Reverend Anthony Farquhar, Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor.
The Ordination Mass was celebrated in the presence of His Eminence Cahal Cardinal Daly, Archbishop Emeritus of Armagh, His Eminence Desmond Cardinal Connell, Archbishop of Dublin and The Most Reverend Sean Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland.
He is currently a member of the Irish Bishops Conference. He is a member of it's Committee on Education and Chairman of the Vocations Committee.
[edit] Criticism
Despite a considerable background in Catholic education, Bishop Mc Keown is regarded as not intrinsically hostile to the development of further integrated education. His defence of Catholic education, particularly against a double onslaught from teacher unions (the Irish National Teachers' Organisation) and British government reform, has been portrayed as weak especailly by his conservative critics who fear he will be appointed by the Vatican to succeed Bishop Patrick Walsh. Similar criticisms suggest he is politically naive and, as evidence, his attendance at a rally in the Ulster Hall in Belfast held in support of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, and against the Patten proposals on reform of policing, is often cited.
He had been seen as a possible successor to Bishop Patrick Walsh, who, at seventy six (April 2007) is likely to retire soon. Most commentators see him as the front runner though many informed sources now regard this as unlikely, given his weak performance on the issue of Catholic education, which has angered many priests in the diocese who are heavily involved in education at parish level. The inclusion of his name as a possible successor in an article in the Belfast newspaper, The Irish News, led to a furious debate on the Slugger O'Toole website (see reference below), with dozens of commentators expressing either anger or praise for him.
William Crawley, the BBC journalist, has reported on his blog that some priests have expressed concern about the existence of an alleged "Stop Donal Campaign". (See reference below.)
[edit] Recently
He led the Diocese Youth to World Youth Day in 2005.
He was one of the Bishops that travelled to Rome for their Quinquennial Visit Ad Limina visit in October 2006.
