Biographical Details of Emeritus Archbishop, Desmond Cardinal Connell
Archbishop Desmond Connell was born in Phibsboro on the 24th of March 1926.
Educated at St. Peter’s National School, Phibsboro and Belvedere College, he studied for the priesthood at Clonliffe College and was ordained by Archbishop John Charles McQuaid on the 19th of May 1951.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from University College Dublin in 1946 and was awarded an M.A. the following year. From 1947 until 1951 he studied theology at Maynooth and was awarded a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1950.
Archbishop Connell studied at the University of Louvian, Belgium from 1951 to 1953, when he was awarded a doctorate in philosophy.
From 1953 Archbishop Connell worked in the department of Metaphysics in U.C.D. He was appointed Professor of General Metaphysics in1972 and elected Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Sociology in 1983 and re-elected 3 years later.
He has written on philosophical and theological subjects. For his published work he was awarded the degree D. Litt. by the National University of Ireland in 1981.
Dr. Connell was a member of the Irish Hierarchy’s theological commission, and of the Diocesan Committee on Ecumenism. He was made a Prelate of Honour by the Pope with the title of Monsignor in 1984.
He served as chaplain to three communities of contemplative sisters, the Poor Clares, Donnybrook (1953-55), the Carmelites, Drumcondra (1955-1966) and the Carmelites in Blackrock from 1966.
Archbishop Connell’s motto is Secundum Verbum Tuum (“According to thy word”). It is the well known response of Our Lady’s to God’s call at the Annunciation, “be it done unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38).
Episcopal Conference:
Vice-President of the Irish Episcopal Conference
Member of the Episcopal Commission for Doctrine and of the Theological Commission
Chairman of the Episcopal Commission for Universities
Member of the Episcopal Commission on Ecumenism
Member of the Committee for European Affairs
Member of the Inter-Church Committee
Roman Congregations and Councils:
Member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
Former Member of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People
Member of the Congregation for Bishops
Creative works/Publications:
The Vision in god: Malebrache’s Scholastic Sources (Louvain 1967)
Essays in Metaphysics (Dublin 1996)
Christ our Life (Dublin, 1995)
Various articles in philosophical and theological reviews.
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Curriculum Vitae
His Eminence Desmond Cardinal Connell
29 Iona Road,
Glasnevin,
Dublin 9
Born: Wed 24 March 1926- 84 years
Ordained: Sat 19 May 1951- 58 year
Ordaining Bishop: Archbishop John Charles McQuaid
Place of Ordination: Holy Cross College, Clonliffe.
Appointments
Louvain University; Study
Mon 1 October 1951 – Thu 1 October 1953
University College Dublin: Lecturer
Fri 2 October 1953 – Sun 30 April 1972
Poor Clare Colettine Monastery: Chaplain
Fri 2 October 1953 – Sun May 1955
Carmelite Monastery, Hampton: Chaplain
Mon 2 May 1955 – Mon 3 October 1966
Carmelite Monastery, Sweetman’s Ave: Chaplain
Tue 4 October 1966 – Wed 20 January 1988
University College Dublin: Professor
Mon 1 May 1972 – Wed 20 January 1988
Appointment for Overall Diocese: Monsignor
Mon 22 October 1984 – Sun 6 March 1988
Archbishop of Dublin: Archbishop
Sun 6 March 1988 – Mon 26 April 2004
Priests Council President: President
Sun 1 January 1989 – Mon 26 April 2004
Sacred Congregation for the Bishops: Member
Mon 19 October 1998 – Sun 29 April 2001
Sac. Congreg. for Doctrine & Faith: Member
Mon 19 October 1998 – Sun 29 April 2001
Sacred College of Cardinals: Cardinal
Wed 21 February 2001
St Patricks College, Maynooth; Chancellor
Wed 21 February 2001
Sacred Congregation for the Bishops: Member
Mon 30 April 2001
Sac. Congreg. for Doctrine & Faith: Member
Mon 30 April 2001
Pontifical Council for the Laity; Member
Mon 14 May 2001
Retired: Retired Bishop
Mon 26 April 2004
