Joseph Clifford Fenton

Monsignor Joseph Clifford Fenton (January 16, 1906 - July 7, 1969), a priest of the diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts, was professor of fundamental dogmatic theology at the Catholic University of America and editor of the American Ecclesiastical Review (1943–1963). He is considered one of the most outstanding American Catholic theologians of the 20th century, serving as a peritus for Cardinal Ottaviani at the Second Vatican Council. He was also Secretary of the Catholic Theological Society of America.

Fenton was born in Springfield, MA, on January 16, 1906. He was the elder son of Michael Francis and Elizabeth (Clifford) Fenton.

Fenton received a B.A. degree from College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1926.

He studied for the sacred priesthood at the Grand Seminary in Montreal, Canada, until 1930 and received an S.T.L. and J.C.B. from the University of Montreal.

On June 14, 1930, Bishop Thomas Michael O'Leary ordained Fenton at St. Michael's Cathedral in Springfield, Mass.

He obtained a doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.) from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Angelicum in Rome in 1931 under the direction of Fr. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P.

Fenton was a curate at Immaculate Conception Church in Easthampton, MA from 1931 to 1933) and at St. Joseph's Church, Leicester, MA from 1933 to 1934. He taught philosophy at Saint Ambrose College, Davenport, IA from 1934 to 1935).

At the formation of the Catholic Theological Society of America in 1946, the then-Fr. Fenton served as one of its first officers in the position of Secretary.

Fenton was a familiar figure with his cassock and biretta on the campus of The Catholic University of America for 25 years. His students remember him as an imposing person who lectured dramatically and often challenged them with unexpected questions. Fenton's colorful expressions and trenchant observations became legendary.

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