Robert P. Maginnis

Robert Patrick Maginnis (born December 22, 1933) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia from 1996 to 2010.

Robert Maginnis was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the youngest of four children of William and Cecilia Maginnis. He received his early education at St. Aloysius Academy in West Chester. In 1948, he enrolled at St. Joseph's Preparatory School in Philadelphia. After graduating from St. Joseph's in 1952, he began his studies for the priesthood at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1955.

Maginnis was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia by Archbishop John Krol on May 13, 1961. He was a member of the first ordination class ordained by Archbishop Krol. His first assignment was as a curate at Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Abington, where he remained for three years. He then served at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Chester from 1964 to 1967. In 1967, he was named assistant director of the Archdiocesan Department of Youth Activities. He later became director of the department in 1981, serving in that position until 1988.

Maginnis was elevated to the rank of Honorary Prelate to His Holiness on April 24, 1982. From 1988 to 1991, he served as administrator of St. Alphonsus Church in Maple Glen. He became regional vicar for Montgomery County in 1991. He also served as chairman of the state chapter of the Catholic Youth Organization, chairman of the Catholic Charities Appeal, archdiocesan moderator of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and a member of the city's Youth Services Commission.

On January 24, 1996, Maginnis was appointed auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia and titular bishop of Siminina by Pope John Paul II. He received his episcopal consecration on the following March 11 from Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, with Archbishop Francis B. Schulte and Bishop Edward Peter Cullen serving as co-consecrators, at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul. He selected as his episcopal motto: "Stay with us, Lord" (Luke 24:29). In addition to his episcopal duties, he served as pastor of St. Colman Church in Ardmore from 1996 to 2004.

In 2004, Maginnis was named head of the Secretariat for Evangelization. He also oversaw the Archdiocesan Metropolitan Tribunal, Chancery Office, Office for Consecrated Life, Office for Research and Planning, Office for Black Catholics, and Office for Hispanic Catholics.

Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, Maginnis submitted his letter of resignation to the Holy See in December 2008. His resignation was later accepted by Pope Benedict XVI on June 8, 2010.He will continue to administer Confirmations in Chester and Delaware Counties, and plans to spend the rest of his retirement reading and studying. He was replaced as an auxiliary bishop by Monsignor John J. McIntyre.