Diocese: Archdiocese of New York
Summary of Assignments:
- 1955-1956: Maryknoll Fathers; New York City, Boston, Manila and Carlow, United States, Philippines, and Ireland
- Student
- 1956-1960: Maryknoll Fathers; Paete, Laguna, Philippines
- Pastor, Educator, School Administrator, and Chaplain
- 1960-1967: Maryknoll Fathers; Magugpo, Tagum, Davao, Philippines
- 1967-1968: Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston, MA
- 1969-1970: St. Anthony; Bronx, NY
- 1970-1981: Cardinal Hayes High School; Bronx, NY
- 1981-1989: St. Gregory’s; Manhattan, NY
- 1989-2002: St. John the Baptist; Yonkers, NY
- 2002-2008: Suspended
- April 2008: Laicized
- December 16, 2012: Died
Notes:
Lennon’s obituary lists his assignments as follows:
- 1934-1942: St. Philip Neri Grammar School
- 1942-1945: Cardinal Hayes High School; Bronx, NY
- 1945-1946: Maryknoll Jr. Seminary; Brookville, MA
- 1946-1947: Maryknoll Jr. College; Clark Summit, PA
- 1947-1948: Maryknoll Jr. College; Lakewood, NJ
- 1948-1950: Maryknoll Major Seminary; Maryknoll, NY
- 1950-1951: Maryknoll Novitate; Bedford, MA
- 1951-1955: Maryknoll Seminary; Maryknoll, NY
- June 11, 1955: Ordained
- 1955-1956:
- Studied Tagalog at Fordham University Language School
- Studied at Santo Tomas University; Phillipines
- Studied Clinical Pastoral Education at Massachusetts General Hospital; MA
- Studied at Irish Institute of Pastoral Liturgy; St. Patrick’s College, Carlow, Ireland
- 1956-1967: Pastor of several congregations, Philipines; Director of Maryknoll Francis High School, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and St. Mary’s High School; President of the Assumption College; Special Contract Chaplain, US Armed Forces; and Superintendent of schools in Tagum Diocese.
- 1967-1968: Taught Clinical Pastoral Education Basic I and II at Massachusetts General Hospital; MA
- 1969-1970: Associate pastor at St. Anthony’s Parish; Bronx, NY
- 1970-1982: Cardinal Hayes High School; Bronx, NY
- 1982-1989: Pastor at St. Gregory the Great; Manhattan, NY
- 1989-2003: Pastor at St. John the Baptist; Yonkers, NY
Lennon was also reported to have worked as a chaplain to the Yonkers Fire Department and a chaplain to the Green Berets during the Vietnam War.
In 2002, Lennon was accused of sexually abusing a student at Cardinal Hayes High School in the mid-1970s. The student played on the school hockey team while Lennon was in charge of athletics and alleged that Lennon fondled him on weekend trips. Lennon denied the allegations. Lennon was suspended from his position at St. John the Baptist in 2002 and laicized in 2008. He died in 2012.
Sources: Journal News 04.19.02; The Journal News (NY) 04.21.02; USA Today 11.11.02; Journal News 09.14.03; Journal News 07.09.05; Blogging Religiously 04.07.08; http://bishop-accountability.org/; Obituary 12.2012; BA.org Assignment Record
Note: Years in parentheses indicate editions of the Official Catholic Directory. Because of the publication schedule of the Directory, a priest listed at a parish in a given year was also likely at that parish for part of the previous year.