Deceased: 2010-01-27
Diocese: ST PAUL-MINNEAPOLIS
CSM Graduation Year: 1966
Rev. Msgr. Ellsworth Kneal – Age 92 – Died January 27, 2010 A nationally known and respected expert in Roman Catholic Church law and a Canon law judge, professor and pastor for 43 years, Msgr. Kneal had retired from active ministry in 1978 and more recently, was a resident of Colonial Acres Health Care Center in Golden Valley. Msgr. Kneal was born November 1, 1917 and ordained a priest May 18, 1944. A native of St. Louis, MO he was ordained following studies at St. Louis University and the Saint Paul Seminary. He also did post graduate study at Catholic University of America in Washington DC. From 1944 through 1958, Monsignor Kneal served as associate pastor at parishes in White Bear Lake and south Minneapolis, but it was as a canon lawyer and canon law judge that he earned his national reputation. A former member of the St. Paul Seminary faculty, he was also an official with the Archdiocese’s Metropolitan Tribunal which resolves disputes within the Church and focuses primarily on marriage dissolutions. He was directing judge of the tribunal for ten years and also taught at the Catholic University of America from 1982 to 1986. In 2001, Monsignor Kneal received the Canon Law Society of America’s highest honor when he was given their Role of Law award. Mass of Christian Burial, 10:30 a.m, Monday, February 1 at The Saint Paul Seminary,2260 Summit Avenue in St. Paul. Reviewal one and one half hour prior to Mass. Committal/interment to follow immediately at Resurrection Cemetery.
