The New York herald., 1921-08-09
Bishop Mcdonnell,
Head of Brooklyn
Diocese, Is Dead
Born in Manhattan, Ordained
in Rome, Became Bishop
at the Age Of 38.

BRENTWOOD, L. l.. Aug. S.-The Rt.
Rev. Charles Edward Mcdonnell. Bishop
of the Roman Catholic Diocese OF Brook
lyn. died to-day at the Convent Of the
Sisters of ST. Joseph. where he had been
Ill for several weeks. The end came at
IL 40 o'clock this morning. 1t was
thought the Bishop was convalescing
until Saturday. when he suffered a re-
lapse. with periods of inconsistencies.
He grew gradually worse until his
death
Bishop Mcdonnell had been in declin-
Ing health since last January. With
chronic kidney trouble he had high blood
pressure. and while he was Mt Rock
ledge, Fla. about February /, he had a
slight stroke. producing aphasia. This
gradually cleared up. according TO DR..
]. #. w. Meagher, a specialist who was
called in consultation. but the kidney
condition did not improve. Death was
caused by arterio-sclerosis and nephritis.
His household were with him when he
died.
He was the second Bishop of Brook
lyn. succeeding the late Bishop Lough-
lin.
The Right Rev. Charles Edward Nc
Donnell, Roman Catholic Bishop of
Brooklyn. Assistant Bishop of the
Pontifcal Throne and Noble OF the
Papal Household, was born in Manhattan
In 1854. the son OF printer. and his
early years were spent in the old
Seventh ward. His youth was spent In
the diocese of which he was afterwaro
to become the religious head
After studying for some time I'm the
old De La Sale Institute. In Second
street. young Mcdonnell entered st,
Francis Xaviers College. He showed
such aptitude at his books that he was
able to begin his studies for the priest
hood two years in advance Of the other
members OF his class. He was accepted
as a student for the Archdiocese OF New
York by Cardinal McCloskey. and In
1871 he went to Rome.
Bishop Mcdonnell was not Is years
old when he entered the American Col
lege. He received the degree of doctor
of divinity upon the completion of his
course and was ordained May 10, 1878.
In the autumn of 1878 DR.. Mcdonnell
returned to New York and was as
signed by Cardinal McCloskey as an as
sistant to St Marys Church in Grand
street. The following January he was
transferred to st. Stephens Church In
East Twenty-eighth street. remaining
there until the opening of st. Patrick 8
Cathedral in Fifth avenue in May. Be-
cause of his wide knowledge of the
Catholic liturgy Cardinal McCloskey as
signed him TO the Cathedral to direct the
elaborate ceremonies held there.
After the death of Cardinal Nc
Closkey he became Archbishop Corri-
gan's secretary and later he was ap-
pointed Chancellor of the New York
Diocese.
DIR. Mcdonnell represented Archbishop
Corrigan at Pope Leos golden jubilee.
While he was abroad the Pope made
him Papal Private Chamberlain, which
gave him the title of Monsignor. Arch
bishop Corrigan. appointed him spiritual
advisor OF the Catholic Club on October
%. 1890.
He was made Bishop of the Brooklyn
Diocese, which includes the rest of Long
Island. on April %. 1892. He was but
3S years old at the time OF his appoint
ment. From the first his administration
OF the diocese was successful. He was
an earnest and forceful preached and
was accounted a good theologian and
particularly well versed in canon law
Apart from his theological attachments
he was noted for his prudence and tact
and ability to make friends. not only
among members or his own faith, out
among non-Catholics as well.
Bishop Mcdonnell made frequent trips
tn Rome since his elevation to the
bishopric. At the time OF his silver ju-
bilee In 1903 he was honored by the
Pope, who created him Assistant Bishop
OF the Pontificial Throne and Noble or
the Papai Household. He was the first
American churchman to be received by
Pcre Benedict
~ 1909 Bishop Mcdonnell was asked
nv italian workmen and the contractors
who employed them In excavating work
TO arbitrate difference which had arisen.
The Bishops decision was accepted by
both sides