Donal McKeown (Bishop)
Encyclopedia
Dónal McKeown is the Catholic
titular Bishop
of Cell Ausaille
and Auxiliary Bishop
in The Diocese of Down and Connor.
, County Antrim
.
He was educated at Mount St Michael's Primary School and St MacNissi's College, Garron Tower
where he was a boarder
from 1961–1968. He completed his O-Levels and A-Levels with special distinction in Modern Languages. Two of his teachers were his future brother Bishops, Fr Anthony Farquhar
(who taught Latin) and Fr Patrick Walsh
(who taught Mathematics).
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
with Honours in German
and Italian
in 1973. From 1970 to 1971 he taught English
at a school in Dieburg Germany
. From 1971-73 he was Northern Ireland correspondent for the German Katholische Nachrichten Agentur (KNA). Then from 1973 to 1978 he studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University
in Rome
, obtaining the degree of Licentiate in Sacred Theology. During the five years in Rome he did occasional work as a newscaster for the Vatican Radio and as correspondent for An Saol Mor, an Irish language programme on RTE, the Irish national radio station.
After ordination to the priesthood in 1977, he was briefly chaplain at Mater Infirmorum Hospital
in Belfast. In 1978 he began a 23-year career as a teacher. He was appointed to teach Religious Education
, and German
at St. Patrick's College, Knock (1978–83) while assisting at the same time in the parish of Derriaghy.
He continued his involvement with youth programmes and is credited as the founder of the Diocesan Lourdes Youth Team in 1985. In 1983 he was appointed to his alma mater St MacNissi’s College, Garron Tower
.
Bishop Cahal Daly then appointed him to teach full-time at St. Malachy's College
, Belfast
in 1987 and also to be in charge as Dean
of the Seminary
which is situated in St Malachy's. In 1995 he succeeded Canon Noel Conway as President
of St. Malachy's College
. He twice ran the full Belfast Marathon
- 1982 with a team of 48 the parish of Derriaghy and as Bishop in 2001 in an attempt to raise money for a minibus
for St Malachy's
.
While in the post of President
, Fr McKeown continued his own education, taking a Masters Degree in Business Administration
specialising in educational management from the University of Leicester
in 2000.
The Episcopal Ordination of Dr McKeown took place in Saint Peter's Cathedral, Belfast. Patrick Walsh
, Bishop of Down and Connor, was the Principal Consecrator
. He was assisted by Dr Giuseppe Lazzarotto
, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland and Dr Anthony Farquhar
, Auxiliary Bishop
in Down and Connor. Bishop Walsh
said during the homily
that the consecration of his new auxiliary was an historic occasion. He said, "In fact you make history as you are the first bishop to be ordained for an Irish diocese in this millennium".
The Ordination Mass was celebrated in the presence of Cahal Daly, Cardinal Archbishop
Emeritus
of Armagh
, Desmond Connell
, Cardinal Archbishop of Dublin
and Seán Brady
, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland.
He is currently a member of the Irish Bishops' Conference. He is a member of its Committee on Education
and Chairman of the Vocations and Youth
Committee. He led the Diocese
Youth to World Youth Day
in 2002 (Toronto) and 2005 (Cologne). He was one of the bishops who travelled to Rome
for their Quinquennial Visit Ad Limina
visit in October 2006. He is a regular contributor on the BBC Radio Ulster
Thought for the Day programme.
Bishop McKeown has wide experience of second-level education in Northern Ireland, having been a teacher from 1978 until he became president at St. Malachy's College in Belfast in 1995. He retained that post until he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the diocese in 2001. In the event Noel Treanor
succeeded Dr Walsh.
and Irish
, Bishop McKeown can speak fluently German
, Italian
, as well as strong French
and Polish
. He has also attended courses in Russian
and Arabic
.
, provoked active opposition from some Catholic priests who regard McKeown as "too soft" on the issue of integrated education
, which they oppose. This opposition was labeled a "Stop Donal" campaign. On 28 March 2007, the BBC journalist, William Crawley
, reported on his blog about the campaign. On Tuesday, 10 April 2007, the Irish Times religion correspondent Patsy McGarry
published an article about the campaign.
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
titular Bishop
Titular bishop
A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place...
of Cell Ausaille
Cell Ausaille
The Diocese of Cell Ausaille is a Titular See in the Roman Catholic Church. The first Titular Bishop was appointed to this See on 24 April 1970. In Latin the diocese is known as Cellae Sancti Auxilii....
and Auxiliary Bishop
Auxiliary bishop
An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
in The Diocese of Down and Connor.
Early years
He was born on 12 April 1950 in Belfast and baptised in St. Patrick's Church in Donegall Street, though his childhood was spent in RandalstownRandalstown
Randalstown is a small town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, located between the towns of Antrim and Toome. It had a population of 4,956 people in the 2001 Census. It has a very prominent disused railway viaduct and lies beside Lough Neagh and the Shane's Castle estate...
, County Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
.
He was educated at Mount St Michael's Primary School and St MacNissi's College, Garron Tower
Garron Tower
IMPORTANT: This page concerns a school which no longer exists, for the current school operating in its campus, see St Killian's CollegeSt MacNissi's College, now St Killian's College was a grammar school located to the north of Larne, which was once Northern Ireland's busiest port...
where he was a boarder
Boarder
A boarder may be a person who:*snowboards*skateboards*bodyboards*surfs*stays at a boarding house*attends a boarding school*takes part in a boarding attackThe term may also refer to*The Boarder...
from 1961–1968. He completed his O-Levels and A-Levels with special distinction in Modern Languages. Two of his teachers were his future brother Bishops, Fr Anthony Farquhar
Anthony Farquhar (Bishop)
The Most Reverend Anthony J. Farquhar D.D., S.T.L., B.A. is the Roman Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Down and Connor.-Career:...
(who taught Latin) and Fr Patrick Walsh
Patrick Walsh (Bishop)
Patrick Joseph Walsh , is an Irish prelate of the Roman Catholic Church and from 1991 until 2008 he was the 31st Bishop of Down & Connor. Dr Walsh was born in 1931 at Cobh, Irish Free State...
(who taught Mathematics).
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
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
with Honours in German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
and Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
in 1973. From 1970 to 1971 he taught English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
at a school in Dieburg Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. From 1971-73 he was Northern Ireland correspondent for the German Katholische Nachrichten Agentur (KNA). Then from 1973 to 1978 he studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Gregorian University
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, obtaining the degree of Licentiate in Sacred Theology. During the five years in Rome he did occasional work as a newscaster for the Vatican Radio and as correspondent for An Saol Mor, an Irish language programme on RTE, the Irish national radio station.
After ordination to the priesthood in 1977, he was briefly chaplain at Mater Infirmorum Hospital
Mater Infirmorum Hospital
The Mater Infirmorum Hospital, commonly known as The Mater is an acute hospital in Belfast, Northern Ireland and serves a population of over 200,000 people. It provides services to most of North Belfast and South Antrim, reaching as far as Glengormley, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey. It also...
in Belfast. In 1978 he began a 23-year career as a teacher. He was appointed to teach Religious Education
Religious Education
Religious Education is the term given to education concerned with religion. It may refer to education provided by a church or religious organization, for instruction in doctrine and faith, or for education in various aspects of religion, but without explicitly religious or moral aims, e.g. in a...
, and German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
at St. Patrick's College, Knock (1978–83) while assisting at the same time in the parish of Derriaghy.
He continued his involvement with youth programmes and is credited as the founder of the Diocesan Lourdes Youth Team in 1985. In 1983 he was appointed to his alma mater St MacNissi’s College, Garron Tower
Garron Tower
IMPORTANT: This page concerns a school which no longer exists, for the current school operating in its campus, see St Killian's CollegeSt MacNissi's College, now St Killian's College was a grammar school located to the north of Larne, which was once Northern Ireland's busiest port...
.
Bishop Cahal Daly then appointed him to teach full-time at St. Malachy's College
St. Malachy's College
St. Malachy's College is the oldest Roman Catholic grammar school in the province of Ulster, and one of the oldest in Ireland.The college was founded in 1833 by Bishop William Crolly, about 50 years after the repeal of the penal laws, which had outlawed, among other things, the celebration of the...
, Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
in 1987 and also to be in charge as Dean
Dean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
of the Seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
which is situated in St Malachy's. In 1995 he succeeded Canon Noel Conway as President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of St. Malachy's College
St. Malachy's College
St. Malachy's College is the oldest Roman Catholic grammar school in the province of Ulster, and one of the oldest in Ireland.The college was founded in 1833 by Bishop William Crolly, about 50 years after the repeal of the penal laws, which had outlawed, among other things, the celebration of the...
. He twice ran the full Belfast Marathon
Belfast Marathon
The Belfast Marathon is a marathon run every year in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The marathon is run on May Day of each year and has been held for 29 years . In 2011 there were over 20,000 race participants....
- 1982 with a team of 48 the parish of Derriaghy and as Bishop in 2001 in an attempt to raise money for a minibus
Minibus
A minibus or minicoach is a passenger carrying motor vehicle that is designed to carry more people than a multi-purpose vehicle or minivan, but fewer people than a full-size bus. In the United Kingdom, the word "minibus" is used to describe any full-sized passenger carrying van. Minibuses have a...
for St Malachy's
St. Malachy's College
St. Malachy's College is the oldest Roman Catholic grammar school in the province of Ulster, and one of the oldest in Ireland.The college was founded in 1833 by Bishop William Crolly, about 50 years after the repeal of the penal laws, which had outlawed, among other things, the celebration of the...
.
While in the post of President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
, Fr McKeown continued his own education, taking a Masters Degree in Business Administration
Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration is a :master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out...
specialising in educational management from the University of Leicester
University of Leicester
The University of Leicester is a research-led university based in Leicester, England. The main campus is a mile south of the city centre, adjacent to Victoria Park and Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College....
in 2000.
Auxiliary Bishop of Down & Connor
On 22 February 2001, Very Rev Donal McKeown was appointed Titular Bishop of Cell Ausaille and Auxiliary Bishop in The Diocese of Down and Connor. His Episcopal Motto is 'Veritas in Caritate', the truth in love.The Episcopal Ordination of Dr McKeown took place in Saint Peter's Cathedral, Belfast. Patrick Walsh
Patrick Walsh (Bishop)
Patrick Joseph Walsh , is an Irish prelate of the Roman Catholic Church and from 1991 until 2008 he was the 31st Bishop of Down & Connor. Dr Walsh was born in 1931 at Cobh, Irish Free State...
, Bishop of Down and Connor, was the Principal Consecrator
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
. He was assisted by Dr Giuseppe Lazzarotto
Giuseppe Lazzarotto
Giuseppe Lazzarotto JCD was born in Carpanè, Italy on 24 May 1942. He studied for the priesthood in the Diocese of Padua, being ordained a priest on 1 April 1967. He undertook post-graduate studies in diplomacy at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome, while at the same time completing his...
, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland and Dr Anthony Farquhar
Anthony Farquhar (Bishop)
The Most Reverend Anthony J. Farquhar D.D., S.T.L., B.A. is the Roman Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Down and Connor.-Career:...
, Auxiliary Bishop
Auxiliary bishop
An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
in Down and Connor. Bishop Walsh
Patrick Walsh (Bishop)
Patrick Joseph Walsh , is an Irish prelate of the Roman Catholic Church and from 1991 until 2008 he was the 31st Bishop of Down & Connor. Dr Walsh was born in 1931 at Cobh, Irish Free State...
said during the homily
Homily
A homily is a commentary that follows a reading of scripture. In Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox Churches, a homily is usually given during Mass at the end of the Liturgy of the Word...
that the consecration of his new auxiliary was an historic occasion. He said, "In fact you make history as you are the first bishop to be ordained for an Irish diocese in this millennium".
The Ordination Mass was celebrated in the presence of Cahal Daly, Cardinal Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
Emeritus
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
of Armagh
Armagh
Armagh is a large settlement in Northern Ireland, and the county town of County Armagh. It is a site of historical importance for both Celtic paganism and Christianity and is the seat, for both the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland, of the Archbishop of Armagh...
, Desmond Connell
Desmond Connell
Desmond Connell is a cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church. He is a former Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland. He was born in Dublin....
, Cardinal Archbishop of Dublin
Archbishop of Dublin (Roman Catholic)
The Archbishop of Dublin is the title of the senior cleric who presides over the Archdiocese of Dublin. The Church of Ireland has a similar role, heading the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough. In both cases, the Archbishop is also Primate of Ireland...
and Seán Brady
Seán Brady
Seán Baptist Brady is an Irish cardinal of the Catholic Church. He is the current Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 2007.-Early life and education:...
, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland.
He is currently a member of the Irish Bishops' Conference. He is a member of its Committee on Education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
and Chairman of the Vocations and Youth
Youth
Youth is the time of life between childhood and adulthood . Definitions of the specific age range that constitutes youth vary. An individual's actual maturity may not correspond to their chronological age, as immature individuals could exist at all ages.-Usage:Around the world, the terms "youth",...
Committee. He led the Diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
Youth to World Youth Day
World Youth Day
World Youth Day is a youth-oriented Catholic Church event. While the event itself celebrates the Catholic faith, the invitation to attend extends to all youth, regardless of religious convictions....
in 2002 (Toronto) and 2005 (Cologne). He was one of the bishops who travelled to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
for their Quinquennial Visit Ad Limina
Quinquennial Visit Ad Limina
In the Roman Catholic Church, a quinquennial visit ad limina or more properly, quinquennial visit ad limina apostolorum or simply an ad limina visit means the obligation of residential diocesan bishops and certain prelates with territorial jurisdiction , of visiting the thresholds of the [tombs of...
visit in October 2006. He is a regular contributor on the BBC Radio Ulster
BBC Radio Ulster
BBC Radio Ulster is one of two Northern Irish BBC radio stations, the other being BBC Radio Foyle located in the city of Derry. BBC Radio Ulster is located at Broadcasting House in the Ormeau Avenue area of Belfast city centre...
Thought for the Day programme.
Bishop McKeown has wide experience of second-level education in Northern Ireland, having been a teacher from 1978 until he became president at St. Malachy's College in Belfast in 1995. He retained that post until he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the diocese in 2001. In the event Noel Treanor
Noel Treanor
Noel Treanor is the 32nd and current Bishop of the Irish diocese of Down and Connor. On 22 February 2008, Pope Benedict XVI announced the appointment of Noel Treanor as Bishop...
succeeded Dr Walsh.
Languages
In addition to EnglishEnglish language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and Irish
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
, Bishop McKeown can speak fluently German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
, Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
, as well as strong French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and Polish
Polish language
Polish is a language of the Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages, used throughout Poland and by Polish minorities in other countries...
. He has also attended courses in Russian
Russian language
Russian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
and Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
.
Controversy
It was reported that the inclusion of McKeown's name as a possible successor to Dr Walsh as Bishop of Down and Connor, in an article in The Irish NewsThe Irish News
The Irish News is a compact-sized daily newspaper based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is perceived as being broadly Irish nationalist in outlook...
, provoked active opposition from some Catholic priests who regard McKeown as "too soft" on the issue of integrated education
Integrated Education
The Integrated education movement in Northern Ireland is an attempt to bring together children, parents and teachers from both Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions: the aim being to provide a balanced education, while allowing the opportunity to understand and respect all cultural and religious...
, which they oppose. This opposition was labeled a "Stop Donal" campaign. On 28 March 2007, the BBC journalist, William Crawley
William Crawley
-Television presenter:He recently presented Blueprint, a three-part television natural history series, which ran from 31 March 2008, as the centre-piece of the most ambitious multi-platform broadcasting project in the history of BBC Northern Ireland. The Blueprint season united TV, radio and online...
, reported on his blog about the campaign. On Tuesday, 10 April 2007, the Irish Times religion correspondent Patsy McGarry
Patsy McGarry
Patsy McGarry is Religious Affairs correspondent with The Irish Times. He succeeded Andy Pollak as editor in the mid-1990s. He also is the commissioning editor for articles which are published in the paper's Rite and Reason column every Monday. McGarry also writes occasionally on social issues for...
published an article about the campaign.