[3] In 1918, McEleney entered the Society of Jesus, more commonly known as the Jesuits, at the novitiate in Yonkers, New York.

[4] He then served as assistant master of novices at the Shadowbrook novitiate in Lenox until 1934, when he was sent to study ascetical theology at North Wales in the United Kingdom.

[3] He resumed his post at Shadowbrook the following year, and earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 1937.

[1] On February 3, 1950, McEleney was appointed Vicar Apostolic of Jamaica and Titular Bishop of Zeugma by Pope Pius XII.

[4] During his twenty years in Jamaica, he encouraged the growth of a local church with a native clergy and nuns.