[4] In 1935, McVinney studied journalism for a year at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.

[3] He received his episcopal consecration on July 14, 1948, from Archbishop Amleto Giovanni Cicognani, with Bishops Henry O'Brien and James Connolly serving as co-consecrators.

[4] During his 23-year tenure in Providence, McVinney established 28 new parishes, mostly in rapidly growing suburban and rural areas of the diocese.

[2] McVinney's alma mater, the American College in Belgium, closed on the eve of the Second World War.

McVinney, along with Bishop Matthew Brady of the diocese of Manchester, became a forceful advocate of reestablishing the college.

McVinney, present at the centennial celebrations, was granted an honorary doctorate from the Catholic University of Louvain, alongside Bisholp Fulton J.

McVinney opposed the reception of Communion by hand, believing the practice violates the dignity of both the communicant and the consecrated Host.

[7] When the issue came before the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1970, he called the proposal a "dangerous procedure leading to a precipitous decline" and an invitation to "weirdos.

[8][9] In 1957, McVinney exhorted Catholics to follow the Legion of Decency's ban against the 1956 film Baby Doll, even in its censored version.

[10][11] In 1952, at the commencement ceremony of Manhattan College in New York City, McVinney condemned contemporary morality that attempted to "ride on the coattails of democracy," and encouraged obedience to an "objective" ethical standard.