Posted May 2, 2013

Bishop Joseph McFadden, who died May 2 in Philadelphia, served the Archdiocese of Philadelphia first as a priest after his ordination in 1981, and then as a bishop after ordination to the episcopate in 2004. Photos by Sarah Webb and others show his loving service, prayerfulness and friendliness throughout his 65 years.

  • Always proud of his Irish heritage and close to family members who still reside in Ireland, Bishop McFadden pauses during a recent St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Philadelphia.

  • Bishop McFadden preaches during a Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia, where he was ordained a priest in 1981 and a bishop in 2004.

  • The bishop joins in the fun of the Amazing Race for Grace, an all-day youth rally in 2007 that concluded at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

  • Bishop McFadden confers the ministry of acolyte upon then seminarian and now Father Michael Pawelko (right) at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in 2008.

  • Before leaving for Harrisburg in 2010, the bishop meets Lou and Rita Baldwin and their grandson.

  • Bishop McFadden visits with residents of North Philadelphia in 2007 to witness to the Catholic faith, along with then seminarian and now Father Matthew Tralies (right).

  • Bishop McFadden takes to the streets of North Philadelphia in 2007 to witness to the Catholic faith among residents, along with then seminarian and now Father Matthew Tralies (center).

  • The bishop accepts the gift of Catholic school students in the Nickels for Neighbors program, now titled Catholic Students for Catholic Charities, at Archbishop Carroll High School in Radnor, in 2008.

  • Bishop McFadden celebrates another successful fundraising effort by Catholic school students for Catholic Charities in 2008. Catholic education and development were two areas for which he was responsible as auxiliary bishop from 2004 to 2010, when he was named bishop of Harrisburg.