Joseph Lennox Federal

Joseph Lennox Federal (January 13, 1910 – August 31, 2000) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City in Utah from 1960 to 1980. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop and coadjutor bishop of the same diocese from 1951 to 1960.

Biography

Early life Joseph Federal was born on January 13, 1910, in Greensboro, North Carolina, to Charles and Margaret (née Keegan) Federal. In preparation for the priesthood, Federal studied at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, North Carolina, Niagara University in Lewiston, New York, the University of Fribourg in Fribourg, Switzerland and the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

Priesthood Federal was ordained a priest in Rome for the Diocese of Raleigh by Archbishop Giuseppe Palica on December 8, 1934. After his ordination, the diocese assigned Federal as a curate at St. Peter's Parish in Greenville, North Carolina. In 1937, he was named the first pastor of St. Margaret's Parish in Swannanoa, North Carolina. Federal was appointed rector of Sacred Heart Cathedral (1938–1951), and became a papal chamberlain in 1942.

Auxiliary Bishop, Coadjutor Bishop and Bishop of Salt Lake On February 5, 1951, Federal was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City and titular bishop of Appiaria by Pope Pius XII. In 1970, he ordered the tolling of the cathedral bells as the hearse carrying the body of LDS President David O. McKay passed by.

Retirement and legacy On April 22, 1980, Pope John Paul II accepted Federal's resignation as bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake. Joseph Federal died in Salt Lake City on August 31, 2000, at age 90.