John Joseph McCarthy
Bishop John Joseph "J.J." McCarthy C.S.Sp., was an Irish born, Holy Ghost Father, who served as Bishop to Nairobi, Kenya.
Born 28 April 1896 in Doonegan, Milltown Malbay, Co. Clare, ‘J.J’ was a student at Rockwell College, before going on to Kimmage to train as a priest, he studied at St. Marys, and University College Dublin, and was a prefect in Blackrock College. At Rockwell, he played Rugby and also played rugby in Blackrock. He was ordained in 1925, and following ordination, he went on his mission to East Africa.
He was ordained bishop in 1946 with the old title of Vicar Apostolic of Zanzibar and Titular Bishop of Cercina. In 1953 he was appointed Archbishop of Nairobi, and position he held until his retirement in 1971.
He served as president of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops from 1969-70.
He retired in 1972 and returned to Ireland, where he lived in Kildare for a time before moving to Kimmage Manor, where he died in 1983.
