James A. McNulty

James Aloysius McNulty (January 16, 1900 – September 4, 1972) was an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Paterson (1953–63) and Bishop of Buffalo (1963–72).

Biography

James McNulty was born in New York City, and was educated at Seton Hall College and Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange, New Jersey, where he earned a Master of Arts degree in 1923.^[1] He made his theological studies at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium.^[2] He was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Newark on July 12, 1925.^[3] His younger brother, John L. McNulty, was ordained at the same liturgy (and later served as President of Seton Hall University from 1949 to 1959).^[1]

He did pastoral work in Jersey City and Newark, and served as diocesan director of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, moderator of the Mount Carmel Guild, and director of Catholic Youth Organization.^[2] He served on the faculty of the Teachers' Institute for Religious for five years.^[2] On August 2, 1947, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Newark and Titular Bishop of Methone by Pope Pius XII.^[3] He received his episcopal consecration on the following October 7 from Archbishop Thomas Walsh, with Bishops William A. Griffin and Henry Joseph O'Brien serving as co-consecrators.^[3]

McNulty was named the third Bishop of Paterson on April 9, 1953.^[3] His tenure there was marked by an increase in new parishes and schools.^[1] He also served as chairman of the U.S. Bishops' Committee for Motion Pictures, Radio and Television; in this capacity he condemned "'fast buck' horror, pseudoscience and crime films aimed especially at youngsters," saying such films imperil the moral health and intellectual development of children.^[4]

On February 12, 1963, he was appointed the tenth Bishop of Buffalo, New York.^[3] He reduced the diocesan debt which stood at $30 million through a three year Diocesan Development Fund. He oversaw the implementation of the Decrees of Vatican II including the establishment of the Priests' Senate. A good number of new parishes were established and former Missionary Apostolate parishes became independent. Many parishes built new church buildings. Bishop McNulty promoted religious vocations, expanded inner city ministry, established the Liturgical Commission, the Pastoral Council, a Lay Steering Committee to oversee finances, and the Communications Office. It was Bishop McNulty who with Channel 4, began the television program The Bishop Visits Your Home.

He died at age 72. His body is buried next to his parents in East Hanover, New Jersey.

References