Eugene Joseph McGuinness (September 6, 1889 – December 27, 1957) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Raleigh in North Carolina (1937–1944) and as bishop of the Diocese of Oklahoma City-Tulsa in Oklahoma (1948–1957).
McGuinness was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia by Archbishop Edmond Prendergast on May 22, 1915.[2] Over the next several years, McGuinness then served as a curate at St. Paul's Parish, St. Agatha's Parish, St. John's Parish, and at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, all in Philadelphia.[1]
Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
McGuinness was appointed coadjutor bishop of Oklahoma City-Tulsa and titular bishop of Ilium on November 11, 1944, by Pope Pius XII.[2] After the death of Bishop Francis Kelley on February 1, 1948, McGuinness automatically succeeded him as the third bishop of Oklahoma City-Tulsa.[2]
During his nine-year administration, McGuinness saw the Catholic population in the state grow by almost 40 percent and received 1,242 adult converts in 1957 alone.[3] Priestly and religious vocations flourished, and he made trips to Ireland and Poland to recruit clergy.[3]
Death and legacy
Eugene McGuinness died on December 27, 1957, at age 68.[2]
