Joseph Alphonse McNicholas

Joseph Alphonse McNicholas (January 13, 1923 – April 17, 1983) was the sixth Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield in Illinois (1975-1983).

Joseph Alphonse McNicholas
Bishop of Springfield in Illinois
In office	1975-1983
Orders
Ordination	June 7, 1949
Consecration	March 25, 1970 by Cardinal John Carberry
Personal details
Born	January 23, 1923 St. Louis, Missouri
Died	April 17, 1983 (aged 60)
Nationality	American
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Education	Cardinal Glennon College
Alma mater	Kenrick Seminary

Biography

McNicholas was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and there studied at Cardinal Glennon College and Kenrick Seminary.[1] He was ordained to the priesthood on June 7, 1949.[2] On January 31, 1969, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis and Titular Bishop of Scala by Pope Paul VI.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on the following March 25 from Cardinal John Carberry, with Archbishop Leo Christopher Byrne and Bishop Charles Herman Helmsing serving as co-consecrators.[2] He served as pastor of the Old Cathedral of St. Louis, and was very active in social welfare and youth programs.[3]

McNicholas was named Bishop of Springfield, Illinois, on July 22, 1975.[2] He was installed by Cardinal John Cody on the following September 3.[3] He became personally acquainted with the diocese by launching a visitation of churches, missions, schools, hospitals, the orphanage, and homes for senior citizens.[3] He hosted the first Midwest Regional Meeting of the St. Vincent de Paul Society to be held in downstate Illinois, and in 1978 appointed the first nun to the position of superintendent of Catholic schools.[3] He also renamed the diocesan newspaper as Time and Eternity.[3]

McNicholas died from a heart attack, aged 60.[1]

References

1. "JOSEPH A. McNICHOLAS". The New York Times. 1983-04-18.
2. "Bishop Joseph Alphonse McNicholas". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
3. "History of the Diocese of Springfield". Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. Archived from the original on 2009-06-09. Retrieved 2009-09-05.