Funeral services and public viewings for San Jose Bishop Emeritus Patrick J. McGrath will be held over three days next week, the Diocese of San Jose announced Thursday.
McGrath, a native of Ireland who served as the San Jose Diocese’s second bishop from 1999 to 2019, died May 7 after a brief illness following spinal surgery. He was 77.
The Diocese said services for the public will begin Wednesday May 17 with a public viewing 1:30-6 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Frances Cabrini Parish in San Jose. On May 18, there will be a public viewing from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. vigil service at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph in downtown San Jose. And on May 19, there will be an 11 a.m. Christian Burial Mass at the cathedral, followed by interment at the Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in Los Altos.
“Bishop P.J. was loved by so many who knew him, and the Diocese of San José was blessed by his ministry as our bishop for 20 years,” the diocese said in a statement Thursday.
The San Jose Diocese, originally part of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, was established in 1981. McGrath was the second bishop to serve the diocese, following Bishop Pierre DuMaine.
McGrath served on a priest abuse task force committee with former San Jose Mayor Tom McEnery, who said he pushed for a zero-tolerance policy for abusive priests. Before his retirement, the diocese published a list of credibly accused clergy. McGrath also was known for working with Silicon Valley’s leaders to confront issues concerning the treatment of immigrants.
McGrath was succeeded by Bishop Oscar Cantú, who visited with him last weekend shortly before his passing.