Thomas Flanagan (bishop)

Thomas Joseph Flanagan (October 23, 1930 – October 9, 2019) was an Irish-born prelate of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. He served as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of San Antonio in Texas from 1998 to 2005.


Thomas Joseph Flanagan
Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of San Antonio
Titular Bishop of Bavagaliana
ArchdioceseSan Antonio
AppointedJanuary 5, 1998
InstalledFebruary 16, 1998
Term endedDecember 5, 2005
Other post(s)Titular Bishop of Bavagaliana
Orders
OrdinationJune 10, 1956
ConsecrationFebruary 16, 1998
by Patrick Flores, Edmond Carmody, and John E. McCarthy
Personal details
Born(1930-10-23)October 23, 1930
Rathmore, Ireland
DiedOctober 9, 2019(2019-10-09) (aged 88)
San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
MottoFor Christ we are ambassadors
Styles of
Thomas Joseph Flanagan
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop

Biography

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Early life and education

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Thomas Flanagan was born on October 23, 1930, in Carbury, County Kildare, in the Republic of Ireland. He was the oldest of eight children born to Patrick and Mary McNamara Flanagan.[1] Flanagan attended St Conleth's National School in Carbury and then Mungret College, a high school near Limerick. He then studied at St. Patrick's College, Thurles in Ireland. In 1956, on a visit to Ireland, Archbishop Robert E. Lucey recruited Flanagan to serve as a priest in Texas after his ordination.[2]

Priesthood

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Flanagan was ordained into the priesthood on June 10, 1956, for the Diocese of San Antonio. After emigrating to the United States,[3]Flanagan served in eight parishes in Texas. He also served as spiritual advisor of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, Chairman of the Board of the archdiocese's Assumption Seminary, and diocesan chapter chaplain for its Knights of Columbus.[1]

In 1969, Flanagan was appointed as administrator, then pastor, of St. Agnes Parish in Edna, Texas. Flanagan was awarded a Master of Divinity degree from the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio in 1979. He was named a monsignor by Pope John Paul II on Nov. 29, 1989.

Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio

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On January 5, 1998, Flanagan was appointed titular bishop for Bavagaliana and auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of San Antonio by Pope John Paul II.[3][2] Flanagan was consecrated on February 16, 1998 at the Municipal Auditorium in San Antonio. His principal consecrator was Archbishop Patrick Flores. with Bishop Edmond Carmody, and Bishop John McCarthy as co-consecrators.[4]

Retirement

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Flanagan retired as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of San Antonio on December 15, 2005, at age 75 and died in San Antonio on October 9, 2019.[5][3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Bishop Thomas J. Flanagan marks 50 years of service". satodayscatholic. June 26, 2006.
  2. ^ a b "Retired Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Flanagan newest honorary OMI". satodayscatholic. October 9, 2009.
  3. ^ a b c "Bishop Thomas Joseph Flanagan". catholic-hierarchy. February 10, 2010.
  4. ^ "Bishop Thomas Joseph Flanagan [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  5. ^ "Thomas Flanagan, retired San Antonio auxiliary bishop, dies at 89". KENS5. October 9, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
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Episcopal succession

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Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio
1998–2005
Succeeded by