James A. McFadden
James Augustine McFadden (December 4, 1880 – November 16, 1952) was an American Catholic bishop who led the Diocese of Youngstown from 1943 to 1952, after serving as auxiliary bishop in Cleveland from 1932 to 1943.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Edward and Mary McFadden, he studied at St. Ignatius High School, John Carroll University, and St. Mary Seminary. He was ordained a priest on June 17, 1905, for the Diocese of Cleveland.
As a priest, he served at St. Agnes Parish in Cleveland, founded St. Agnes Parish in Elyria in 1914, and was rector of St. Mary’s Seminary from 1917 to 1923. He also held roles as diocesan director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith (1923–1927) and as diocesan chancellor (1925–1943). He was made a monsignor in 1927.
On May 12, 1932, Pope Pius XI named him auxiliary bishop of Cleveland and titular bishop of Bida. He was consecrated on September 8, 1932, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Cleveland.
In 1933, he attended an interfaith rally in Cleveland to protest Nazi persecution of Jews.
In 1943, Pope Pius XII appointed him the first bishop of the new Diocese of Youngstown, with St. Columba Cathedral as the diocese’s cathedral. The diocese then had about 110 churches, three hospitals, and many parochial schools. In 1949 he asked for a coadjutor bishop, and Pope Pius XII appointed Emmet Walsh to assist.
McFadden died in Youngstown on November 16, 1952, at age 71. His motto was In omnibus caritas (Love in all things).
This page was last edited on 29 January 2026, at 13:27 (CET).