Justin J. McCarthy

Justin Joseph McCarthy (November 26, 1900 – December 26, 1959) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. McCarthy served as bishop of the Diocese of Camden in New Jersey from 1957 until his death in 1959. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Newark from 1954 to 1957

Biography

Early life Justin McCarthy was born on November 26, 1900, in Sayre, Pennsylvania, to Joseph and Delia (née Regan) McCarthy. He and his family later moved to Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he attended St. Mary of the Assumption School and Battin High School. He studied at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree (1923) and a Master of Arts degree (1925). He earned his Licentiate of Sacred Theology from the Urban College that year as well. On March 22, 1957, McCarthy suffered a heart attack and was admitted to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden.

During his relatively short tenure, McCarthy made Catholic education his primary concern. He opened several new schools and expanded already existing ones, making room for an increase of over 5,000 students at the elementary level and 1,000 students at the high school level. At the time of his death, some 20,000 children were enrolled in CCD classes, nearly a 100 percent increase since his installation. McCarthy sent some clergy to Puerto Rico to learn Spanish so they could better serve Spanish-speaking Catholics. In 1957, he opened a mobile chapel for migrant workers, and in 1959 secured the services of four Oblates of the Sacred Heart Sisters to teach religion and do social work at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Camden. He also erected four new parishes, founded a diocesan commission on properties and buildings, and encouraged a Catholic Youth Council be established at every parish in the diocese.

On December 26, 1959, McCarthy suffered a second heart attack while preparing to celebrate mass. He died later that day at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.