James Aloysius McNulty (January 16, 1900 – September 4, 1972) was an American clergyman of the Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Paterson in New Jersey (1953–1963) and bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo in New York (1963–1972). He previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Newark in New Jersey (1947–1953).
McNulty was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Newark on July 12, 1925.[3] His younger brother, John L. McNulty, was ordained at the same liturgy (and later served as President of Seton Hall University from 1949 to 1959).[1]
McNulty was named the third bishop of the Diocese of Paterson by Pius XII on April 9, 1953.[3] His tenure there was marked by an increase in new parishes and schools.[1] He also served as chairman of the U.S. Bishops' Committee for Motion Pictures, Radio and Television; in this capacity he condemned "'fast buck' horror, pseudoscience and crime films aimed especially at youngsters," saying such films imperil the moral health and intellectual development of children.[4]
On February 12, 1963, Pope John XXIII appointed McNulty as the tenth bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo. He reduced the diocesan debt which stood at $30 million through a three-year Diocesan Development Fund.[5]
McNulty oversaw the implementation of the Decrees of Vatican II including the establishment of the Priests' Senate. A good number of new parishes were established and former Missionary Apostolate parishes became independent. Many parishes built new church buildings. McNulty promoted religious vocations, expanded inner city ministry, established the Liturgical Commission, the Pastoral Council, a Lay Steering Committee to oversee finances, and the Communications Office. McNulty began the television program The Bishop Visits Your Home.
James McNulty died in Montclair, New Jersey, on September 4, 1972, at age 72.[3] His body is buried next to his parents in East Hanover, New Jersey.
References
^ abc"Bishop James A. McNulty Of Buffalo Is Dead at 72". The New York Times. 1972-09-05.
^ abcCurtis, Georgina Pell (1961). The American Catholic Who's Who. Vol. XIV. Grosse Pointe, Michigan: Walter Romig.