Fr. Anthony McLaughlin, JCD

Father Anthony McLaughlin, JCD, was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, November 3, 1970. He is the eldest of three boys born to Isobelle (deceased) and Kevin McLaughlin.

Fr. Anthony attended Catholic schools from first grade to twelfth grade and entered seminary in 1989 for service in his home diocese of Down & Connor, Belfast. In 1996 he was recruited from his seminary by the Diocese of Tyler, Texas. He was ordained a priest December 21, 1997.

He came to the USA full time in February 1998. He has served the Church in the United States for nearly 26 years exercising ministry as parochial vicar, pastor, cathedral rector, judicial vicar, vicar general, moderator of the curia, school president, and seminary and university professor of canon law. He earned a license in canon law (JCL, 2003) and a doctorate in canon law (JCD, 2010) from the Catholic University of America, Washington, DC. In June 2017 he became an American citizen.

In October 2019 he came on loan to the Diocese of Lexington and was assigned as Administrator of SS. Peter and Paul, Danville, Kentucky. He was incardinated permanently into the Diocese of Lexington in 2021 and was appointed pastor of SS. Peter & Paul Parish.

He was dean of the Bluegrass West Deanery and is currently Vicar for Ongoing Formation of Priests, member of the Presbyteral Council, member of the College of Consultors, Defender of the Bond, member of the Diocesan Tribunal and canonical advisor.

Fr. Anthony has been involved in several multi-million dollar capital campaign/building projects throughout his ministry.