Charles J. McDonnell papers
Scope and Contents
The Charles J. McDonnell papers primarily consists of materials related to Bishop McDonnell's Episcopal Ordination and military memorabilia from his service in the U.S. Army.
Dates
- 1965-2008
- Majority of material found in 1994 - 1994
Conditions Governing Access
Temporarily closed to research.
Conditions Governing Use
All materials available in this collection (unless otherwise noted) are the property of the Monsignor William Noé Field Archives & Special Collections Center and Seton Hall University, which reserves the right to limit access to or reproduction of these materials. Reproduction of materials or content is subject to United States copyright restrictions and may be subject to federal or state privacy regulations. Permission to publish exact reproductions must be obtained from the Director of the Archives and Special Collections Center.
Biographical / Historical
Charles James McDonnell was born on 7 July 1928 in Brooklyn, NY to parents Charles McDonnell and Josephine Healy. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and classical languages at Seton Hall University and completed his studies for priesthood at Immaculate Conception Seminary. Ordained as a priest on 29 May 1954, McDonnell served as assistant pastor at St. Catherine of Siena Church for eleven years before turning his interest to the military. In 1965, he entered the United States Army to serve as chaplain during the Vietnam War. He underwent airborne and special forces training and continued a military career overseas. In 1981 he was assigned as Chief of Chaplains in Europe and returned home in 1984 to serve as Commandant at the United States Army Chaplain School in Fort Monmouth, NJ. McDonnell retired from the military in 1989 holding the rank of Brigadier General and having earned several awards, including the Legion of Merit. In 1991, he was appointed Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Archdiocese of Newark, where he was responsible for administrative duties and coordinating services of the diocese. On 15 March 1994, McDonnell was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Bergen and Essex counties until his retirement in 2004.
Extent
4.06 Linear Feet (5 containers)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Charles J. McDonnell (1928-) served as Auxiliary Bishop of Bergen and Essex counties in NJ as well as Brigadier General in the U.S. Army. This collection includes correspondence, photographs, and memorabilia depicting his service to the church and armed forces.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Materials were transferred to the Archives and Special Collections Center from the Archdiocese of Newark. Terms of accession unknown.
Processing Information
Finding aid created by Luciana Cardona as part of the Overhaul Project, 2014.
- Title
- Charles J. McDonnell papers, 1965-2008 (bulk 1994)
- Author
- Luciana Cardona
- Date
- June 2014
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the The Monsignor Field Archives & Special Collection Center Repository
Archives, Walsh Library
400 South Orange Ave
South Orange NJ 07079 US
973-761-9476
archives@shu.edu