Justin J. McCarthy

Justin Joseph McCarthy (November 26, 1900—December 26, 1959) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Camden from 1957 until his death in 1959.

Biography

Justin McCarthy was born in Sayre, Pennsylvania, to Joseph and Delia (née Regan) McCarthy.^[1] He and his family later moved to Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he attended St. Mary of the Assumption School.^[2] He studied at Seton Hall University in South Orange, from where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts (1923) and Master of Arts (1925).^[1] He then furthered his studies in Rome at the Pontifical North American College and the Pontifical Urbaniana University.^[1] While in Rome, McCarthy was ordained to the priesthood on April 16, 1927.^[3] He earned his Licentiate of Sacred Theology from the Propaganda that year as well.^[1]

Upon his return to New Jersey in 1927, he served as professor of Sacred Scripture and homiletics at Immaculate Conception Seminary until 1941, when he became spiritual director and professor of ascetical theology.^[2] He was raised to the rank of a Papal Chamberlain in May 1941 and later a Domestic Prelate in December 1949.^[1] In 1953 he was named pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Church in South Orange.^[2] He also served as director of the Priests' Eucharistic League and the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.^[1]

On March 27, 1954, McCarthy was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Newark and Titular Bishop of Doberus by Pope Pius XII.^[3] He received his episcopal consecration on the following June 11 from Archbishop Thomas Aloysius Boland, with Bishops Bartholomew J. Eustace and James A. McNulty serving as co-consecrators, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.^[3] Following the death of Bishop Eustace in December 1956, McCarthy was named the second Bishop of Camden on January 27, 1957.^[3] He was installed at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on March 19, 1957.^[4]

During his relatively short tenure, McCarthy made Catholic education his primary concern. He opened several new schools and expanded already existing ones, making room for an increase of over 5,000 students at the elementary level and 1,000 students at the high school level.^[4] At the time of his death, some 20,000 children were enrolled in CCD classes, nearly a 100 percent increase since his installation.^[4] McCarthy was also dedicated to the welfare of the increasing Hispanic population in the diocese. He sent some clergy to Puerto Rico in order for Spanish-speaking Catholics to be served in their native language.^[4] In 1957 he opened a Mobile Chapel for migrant workers, and in 1959 secured the services of four Oblates of the Sacred Heart Sisters to teach religion and do social work at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Camden.^[2] He also erected four new parishes, founded a diocesan commission on properties and buildings, and encouraged a Catholic Youth Council be established at every parish in the diocese.^[2]

McCarthy died from a heart attack at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Elizabeth, aged 59.^[2] He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Cherry Hill.^[5]

References