Msgr. James McGough

Msgr. James Patrick McGough, 91, of Biloxi, passed away on August 12, 2024.

Msgr. McGough was born July 24, 1933 in Rathagan, County Kildare, Ireland. His ecclesiastical studies were at Mungret College in Limerick, Ireland and at St. Bernard Seminary, St. Bernard, Alabama. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson at St. Mary Basilica on May 25, 1957.

On September 2, 1957, He was assigned to Nativity Parish in Biloxi and in September 1958, he entered Catholic University in Washington, DC to study Canon Law. In 1961, he was appointed as Assistant Chancelor and Defensor Vinculi (Defender of the Bond) and in 1962, he was appointed a Diocesan Chancellor. He was named Papal Chamberlain by the Holy See in 1965 and in 1966, he was appointed Vicar General for the diocese. In 1969, he was named an Honorary Prelate of His Holiness. Msgr. McGough was appointed as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Canton, MS on January 15, 1971 and later that year was appointed Diocesan Consultor. On December 1, 1971, he was appointed as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Hattiesburg where he also served as the Dean of Deanery V and Episcopal Vicar.

On June 6, 1977, he was appointed as the Chancellor for the newly established Diocese of Biloxi and in 1979 was appointed as pastor of St. Paul Parish in Pass Christian. In 1980, he was named Vicar General for the diocese and in 1985, was appointed as pastor of Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church in Bay St. Louis. In 1988, he was appointed as pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Picayune, and then served as pastor of St. James Parish in Gulfport. His last parish assignment was at St. Clare Parish in Waveland before his retirement from active ministry.

Msgr. McGough was a brilliant scholar in church law and policies. His infectious laugh could light up any room he entered. His homilies were always theology based and were delivered with the utmost reverence to the Gospel and the importance of the Eucharist. Msgr. McGough was truly a man of God and will be greatly missed. His contributions to the Diocese of Biloxi will be remembered for generations. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Joseph McGough and Margaret Stack McGough; 2 brothers, Peter McGough and Gerard McGough; and a sister, Mary O’Grady.

He is survived by a brother, Rev. William “Bill” McGough; and numerous nieces and nephews in Ireland and England. 

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, from 9:30 am – 11 am at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 2090 Pass Road, Biloxi. A Mass of Christian will be celebrated by Bishop Louis Kihneman and other priests at 11 am in the church. Interment will be in St. James Cemetery, Gulfport.  The Mass will be live streamed from this link: https://www.youtube.com/live/k-W5AN_dVdg?si=_HDVHRG0NjSNTqSx

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the Association of Priests, 237 E Amite Street, Jackson, MS 39201.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, Biloxi, is honored to serve Msgr. McGough and online condolences may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com