Thomas G. Doran

Thomas George Doran (February 20, 1936 – September 1, 2016) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Rockford in Illinois from 1994 to 2012. Doran also served on the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura in Rome, the highest court of the Catholic Church.

Biography Early life and education Doran was born on February 20, 1936, in Rockford, Illinois to Robert J. and Gretchen (Durst ) Doran. He attended St. James Pro-Cathedral Grade School in Rockford, graduating in 1950. He then attended Campion High School in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, finishing in 1954. Doran then entered the St. Pius X Seminary at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, studying philosophy and classics. After graduating from St. Pius in 1958, he entered the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He completed his Licentiate of Sacred Theology in Rome in 1962.

Retirement Doran's resignation as bishop, which he submitted on his 75th birthday, was accepted by Pope Benedict XVI on March 20, 2012. He was succeeded by Monsignor David Malloy. Thomas Doran died on September 1, 2016.

Abortion In August 2006, Doran denounced the rate of abortions in the United States, saying, "We shall soon outstrip the Nazis in doing human beings to death."

In late March 2009 Doran expressed his "dismay and outrage" at the decision of the University of Notre Dame to have President Barack Obama deliver its commencement speech and receive an honorary degree. He even suggested that Notre Dame change its name to "Northwestern Indiana Humanist University."