28 Facts About Russell McVinney

Russell Joseph McVinney was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church.

Russell McVinney served as bishop of the Diocese of Providence in Rhode Island from 1948 until his death in 1971.

Russell McVinney was born in Warren, Rhode Island, to Thomas and Catherine McVinney.

Russell McVinney was baptized at St Mary's of the Bay Church in Warren the following month.

Russell McVinney attended Father Simmons' School of Religion, the religious education program at Blessed Sacrament.

In 1912, Russell McVinney enrolled at La Salle Academy in Providence, graduating in 1916.

Russell McVinney then attended St Charles College in Catonsville, Maryland, from 1916 to 1918, and continued his studies at the Grand Seminary of Montreal in Montreal, Quebec, in 1918.

In 1920, Russell McVinney entered St Bernard's Seminary in Rochester, New York, staying there for one year.

Russell McVinney completed his studies at the American College at Louvain in Leuven, Belgium.

Russell McVinney was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Providence at Louvain on July 13,1924.

In 1935, Russell McVinney studied journalism for a year at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.

From 1936 to 1941, Russell McVinney served as associate editor of the Providence Visitor and did pastoral work at the Cathedral of SS.

Russell McVinney directed the diocesan pilgrimage to the Eucharistic Congress at New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1938.

Russell McVinney served as the first rector of the newly opened Our Lady of Providence Seminary in Warwick, Rhode Island from 1941 to 1948.

On May 29,1948, Russell McVinney was appointed the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Providence by Pope Pius XII.

Russell McVinney received his episcopal consecration on July 14,1948, from Archbishop Amleto Giovanni Cicognani, with Bishops Henry O'Brien and James Connolly serving as co-consecrators.

Russell McVinney was the first native of Rhode Island to serve as bishop of Providence.

Russell McVinney established 40 new Catholic schools and oversaw the construction of new buildings for many preexisting schools.

Russell McVinney convoked the fourth synod of the diocese on October 8,1952.

Russell McVinney founded the Sisters of Our Lady of Providence in 1955 and later the Brothers of Our Lady of Providence in 1959.

Between 1962 and 1965, Russell McVinney attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council in Rome.

Russell McVinney established the Catholic Inner City Apostolate in 1966 and the Diocesan Human Relations Commission in 1967.

Russell McVinney appointed a priest of his diocese, Thomas Maloney, as the new rector.

Russell McVinney died in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, on August 10,1971, at age 72.

Russell McVinney opposed the reception of Communion by hand, believing the practice violates the dignity of both the communicant and the consecrated Host.

Russell McVinney took a strict interpretation of canon law regarding divorce.

In 1957, Russell McVinney exhorted Catholics to follow the Legion of Decency's ban against the 1956 film Baby Doll, even in its censored version.

In 1952, at the commencement ceremony of Manhattan College in New York City, Russell McVinney condemned contemporary morality that attempted to "ride on the coattails of democracy," and encouraged obedience to an "objective" ethical standard.