Bishop John M. Dougherty was born on April 29, 1932, in Scranton, the son of the late Edward A. and Irene C. Kern Dougherty. A member of St. Paul’s Parish, Scranton, he attended the parochial grade school and graduated from St. Paul’s High School in June, 1949. In September of the same year, Bishop Dougherty entered St. Charles College, Catonsville, Maryland, where he studied for the next two years.

In the spring of 1951, Bishop Dougherty applied to become a seminary student for the Diocese of Scranton. His application was favorably received by Bishop William J. Hafey. The nineteen-year-old Scrantonian began his priestly studies on September 19, 1951, at St. Mary’s Seminary, Baltimore, Maryland. Bishop Dougherty earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Mary’s in June, 1953. Three years later, he received a Master of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame. Bishop Dougherty returned to further studies at St. Mary’s where he earned a Licentiate in Sacred Theology in 1957.

His formal theological studies completed, Bishop Dougherty was ordained to the priesthood on June 15, 1957, in St. Peter’s Cathedral by Bishop Jerome D. Hannan.

On June 29, 1957, Bishop Dougherty was appointed assistant pastor of St. Ann’s, Tobyhanna, a parish community he served for over seven years. In preparation for the opening of St. Pius X Seminary, Dalton, in September, 1962, he was named Professor of Ascetical Theology by Bishop Hannan on March 28, 1962.

Bishop Dougherty was given an additional responsibility in September, 1964, which brought him to his first post in the Chancery. He was appointed Director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith by Bishop Hannan.

On May 19, 1968, Pope Paul VI named Bishop Dougherty a Chaplain of His Holiness with the title of Monsignor. In the same year, he was appointed Vicar for Religious by Bishop J. Carroll McCormick. Four years later, Bishop McCormick appointed him Assistant Chancellor of the Diocese. A further responsibility was placed on Bishop Dougherty when he assumed the duties of the Diocesan Pro-Life Director in February 19, 1976.

The following year, on September 6, 1977, Bishop Dougherty was appointed Chancellor of the Diocese of Scranton by Bishop McCormick.

He was named a Prelate of Honor on November 2, 1978, by Pope John Paul II. On June 7, 1984, the day of Bishop James C. Timlin’s installation as the Eighth Bishop of Scranton, Bishop Dougherty was appointed Vicar General, Moderator of the Curia, and Diocesan Consultor.

Bishop Dougherty was named pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish, Scranton, on September 4, 1984. The parish community includes the churches of St. Patrick, Holy Cross, St. John the Baptist, and Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Pope John Paul II named Bishop Dougherty the Titular Bishop of Sufetula and Auxiliary to the Bishop of Scranton on Tuesday, February 7, 1995. His episcopal ordination took place on March 7, 1995, in St. Peter’s Cathedral, Scranton, with Bishop James C. Timlin serving as consecrator.

On June 30, 1995, Bishop Dougherty was appointed Moderator of the Curia and Rector of Villa Saint Joseph, Dunmore. On March 1, 2004, Bishop Dougherty was appointed Vicar for Administration. He concluded his service as Rector of Villa Saint Joseph when he assumed this new responsibility.

Pope Benedict XVI officially accepted the retirement of Bishop Dougherty on August 31, 2009

 

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