Rest in Peace, Fr. Donald Charles McDonnell

The Most Rev. Gerald E. Wilkerson, auxiliary bishop for the San Fernando Pastoral Region of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and president of the California Catholic Conference, issued the following statement on the death of Rev. Donald Charles McDonnell, longtime friend and associate of United Farm Workers (UFW) Founder Cesar Chavez:

“We were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Fr. Donald Charles McDonnell, who died on February 20, 2012 at the age of 88. He was a priest of generous and hope-filled heart.

“Fr. McDonnell was born in Ireland and ordained by San Francisco Archbishop John Mitty at St. Mary’s Cathedral in 1947. Soon thereafter, he began serving the Spanish-speaking people of Santa Clara County, where his extensive ministry to Mexican workers led him to make the acquaintance of Cesar Chavez—and perhaps changed the course of history.

“Paul F. Chavez, Cesar Chavez’s middle son and president of the Cesar Chavez Foundation, remembered that his father and Fr. McDonnell were both in their early- to mid-20s when they met and that they subsequently became close friends. ‘My father often spoke about how much Fr. McDonnell influenced him during his early years, before he became a community organizer in 1952, and long before he started building the United Farm Workers in 1962—claiming that his education started when he met Fr. McDonnell, who introduced him to the social justice teachings of the Catholic Church and to the writings of St. Francis and Mahatma Gandhi.’

“Cardinal Roger Mahony, retired Los Angeles Archbishop, recalled that ‘As a seminarian, it was my privilege to serve with Fr. McDonnell one summer in Santa Clara County, where he inspired me with his love for the migrant workers who came to that part of California each year to work in the various harvests. During that summer my heart and soul were converted to the work of service to our migrant brothers and sisters, and since then, my life and ministry have been focused upon them.’

“Fr. McDonnell also served in Mexico, Japan and Brazil in the 1960s. In 1970, he returned to the Archdiocese of San Francisco as pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, where he served until his retirement in 1989. Most recently, he lived with family in the Diocese of Oakland, helping at St. Margaret Mary Parish. Fr. McDonnell, who was ardently pro-life, prayed the rosary daily for the unborn.

“We, the bishops of California, honor the memory of Fr. McDonnell who loved and lived the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our prayers are for his eternal rest.”