Early life

The second youngest of 12 children, McDonald was born in Savannah, Georgia, to James Bernard and Theresa (née McGrael) McDonald.^[1] After graduating from Marist School for Boys, he studied at St. Charles College in Catonsville, Maryland. McDonald then attended St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, obtaining a Licentiate of Sacred Theology (1948).^[1]

Priesthood

McDonald was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Savannah by Bishop Emmet M. Walsh on May 8, 1948.^[2] He then attended Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He then traveled to Rome to enter the Pontifical Lateran University, earning a Doctorate in Canon Law in 1951.^[3]

Upon his return to the South Carolina, McDonald was named chancellor of the Diocese of Savannah, official of the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal, and curate of a parish in Port Wentworth.^[1] He was named a papal chamberlain in 1956 and a domestic prelate in 1959.^[1] From 1963 to 1972, McDonald served as pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish; he also served as vicar general of the diocese starting in 1967.^[1]

Bishop of Little Rock

On July 4, 1972, McDonald was appointed the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Little Rock by Pope Paul VI.^[2] He received his episcopal consecration on September 5, 1972, from Archbishop Thomas McDonough, with Archbishop Philip Hannan and Bishop Gerard Frey serving as co-consecrators.^[2] McDonald was formally installed as bishop two days later, on September 7.^[2]

Unlike his predecessor, Bishop Albert Fletcher, McDonald followed the suggestion of the Second Vatican Council in instituting permanent deacons, largely because of the diocese's shortage of priests.^[4] McDonald was opposed to the U.S. Supreme Court's 1973 legalization of abortion rights for women in Roe v. Wade; he later established an anti-abortion office in the diocesan curia and led the annual March for Life each January in Little Rock.^[4] In 1982, McDonald invited Mother Teresa to open a home for single mothers in Little Rock.

A dedicated ecumenist, McDonald reached out to other denominations in Arkansas throughout his tenure, and once assisted in promoting a Billy Graham crusade at War Memorial Stadium in 1989.^[4] In 1990, McDonald condemned the execution of John Swindler by the State of Arkansas.^[4] McDonald became known for his affable personality, his involvement with the laity, and his personal interest in those Catholics under his jurisdiction.^[4]

Retirement and legacy

On January 4, 2000, Pope John Paul II accepted McDonald's resignation as bishop of Little Rock.^[2] Afterwards, McDonald lived outside of Chicago, Illinois, where he served as chaplain for the Little Sisters of the Poor.^[4] Andrew McDonald died in Palatine, Illinois, on April 1, 2014, at age 90.