Msgr. Roger E. McGrath, vicar general of the Diocese of Camden, has been selected as this year’s recipient of The Catholic University of America’s Theological College’s Alumnus Lifetime Service Award for 2010, in recognition of his distinguished service as priest, scholar and administrator.
Ordained in 1971, Msgr. McGrath has served as a priest of the Diocese of Camden for nearly 40 years. Following two years as an associate pastor and doctoral studies in theology at the University of Notre Dame, Msgr. McGrath served as diocesan assistant superintendent of schools for religious education from 1977-79.
From 1972-79 he served on the Board of Trustees of Catholic University. From 1979-83, he served as director of diocesan relations and assistant vice president of university relations at the university.
He returned to the Camden Diocese, serving in various capacities from 1983-91, including as director of evangelization, director of communications, director of pastoral planning and research, and as director of development. He chaired a task force on the reorganization of the diocese in 1989 and was later named episcopal vicar for pastoral services.
From 1991-98, he served as a faculty member, dean and vice rector at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore. Following a sabbatical year, Msgr. McGrath joined the formation faculty at Theological College, where he served as vice rector from 1998-2000.
He returned to the Camden Diocese in 2000 as the founding director of Nazareth House, a vocation discernment residence for prospective seminarians, and was then appointed pastor of Our Lady of Grace Church, Somerdale, from 2001-05. Since 2004, he has served as director of seminarians; as vicar for administration and moderator of the curia since 2005; and as vicar general and moderator of the curia since 2008.
Msgr. McGrath received his undergraduate degree in philosophy from The Catholic University of America in 1966, and a master’s degree in 1967. He remained at TC and Catholic University for his theological studies, receiving an STL in dogmatic theology in 1971. He received a doctorate in historical-systematic theology in 1982 from Notre Dame.
He has served on numerous committees and commissions of the Diocese of Camden, including the board of consultors, president of presbyteral council, priest personnel board, chair of the committee for continuing education and spiritual formation of priests, the diocesan educational planning committee, and as vice chair, diocesan pastoral council.
An active member of the Catholic Theological Society of America since 1982, Msgr. McGrath served as the society’s treasurer for 12 years. He was elected to the TC Alumni Board in 2003, serving two three-year terms and as chairman from 2006-09.
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