James T McHugh

American ecclesiastic, the Most Reverend McHugh, coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre. He was ordained a Roman Catholic priest on 5/25/1957 after completing his theological studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary in New Jersey. He did graduate studies at Fordham University, 1963-65 and Catholic University of America, 1965-67. He completed his doctorate in Rome, 1978-81. McHugh was named titular Bishop of Morosbisdo and Auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Newark by Pope John Paul II and ordained 1/25/1988. Appointed bishop of Camden on 5/13/1989, he was installed 6/20/1989. When Governor Mario Cuomo made a 1984 speech on abortion, agreeing that the solution was wrong but that dogma could not force Catholic politicians to follow a specific path to ban abortion, Msgr. McHugh, a dogged and articulate anti-abortion advocate, objected. After a long dialogue, Cuomo remarked that "McHugh strikes me as the kind of priest that the current Vatican wants as a bishop and cardinal." In robust good health by jogging daily, biking often and a low-fat diet, McHugh is not a big man but one who has been called "a pit bull." He speaks out bluntly and for publication with his strong views, approving the Southern Baptist statement last year that a wife should "submit herself graciously" to her husband. From Italian and Irish parents, McHugh has one younger sister. He cooks pasta at home, and from his dads example, is adept at fixing things. As a kid, he worked in automobiles, in the defense plants during WW II, mastered an electricians craft, plumbing, painting and papering, and to this day, tackles the repair work abound the house. From the time he was in elementary school in Orange, he was encouraged toward the priesthood. He polished his writing skills by entering journalism in school and nurtured a lifetime affinity for writing newspaper columns, both as a priest and later as a bishop. Making friends easily, McHugh has focused on family issues and counseling. His colleagues and parishioners have found him unfailingly compassionate and human. He travels often, to Rome and other missions. After serving for ten years as bishop in Camden, NJ, he moved to Long Island to lead the churchs 1.4 million Catholics there. On 8/17/1999 the Bishop had extensive and serious surgery for cancer of the liver and gall-bladder, surprisingly for one with so healthful a regimen, one who looks younger than his 67 years. He was diagnosed at that time with liver and gall bladder cancer. His illness did not slow down his impassioned fight against abortion. Bishop McHugh died peacefully at his home in Rockville Center of cancer on 12/10/2000, c. 3:15 PM. Link to Wikipedia biography Read less