Anniversary of the Most Reverend Patrick J. McGrath's ordination to the Order of Bishops

Bishop Patrick J. McGrath was born in Dublin, Ireland, on June 11, 1945. After completing his studies at Saint John’s Seminary in Waterford, Ireland, he was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of San Francisco on June 7, 1970. Following his ordination, Bishop McGrath served as associate pastor of Saint Anne of the Sunset Parish in San Francisco and was then assigned to Rome for post graduate studies in Canon Law. In 1977, he obtained a doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Lateran University. He was named Judicial Vicar of the Archdiocese of San Francisco in 1979 and Pastor of the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, San Francisco, in 1986. On December 6, 1988, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco with the titular title of Allegheny in Pennsylvania. On January 25, 1989, he was ordained a bishop.
As Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco, Bishop McGrath served as Vicar General, Vicar for Clergy, Moderator of the Curia, and Vicar for Parishes.
Bishop McGrath was named Coadjutor Bishop to the Diocese of San Jose on June 30, 1998, and was officially welcomed to the Diocese of San Jose on September 17 of the same year. He became the second bishop of San Jose on November 27, 1999.