Rev. Matthew Donahue, JCL

Fr. Matthew Donahue moved to Knoxville with his family from Long Island, NY, when he was 11 years old. Growing up at St. John Neumann parish, he considered priesthood from an early age. Going to Seminary first at Bishop Simon Brute Seminary in Indianapolis, IN, he graduated in 2017, and went on to study Theology at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. 

Fr. Matthew Donahue was ordained August 7, 2021, as the 56th priest ordained for the Diocese of Knoxville. Returning to Rome for a further three years of study for a degree in Canon Law, he graduated in 2024 and returned to the Diocese of Knoxville, serving as a Judge in the Tribunal and associate pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in East Ridge. 

On July 1, 2025, Fr. Matthew was assigned to the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul as Parochial Vicar, and as Chaplain and Director of the UTC Catholic Center, in addition to continuing at the Tribunal as Adjutant Judicial Vicar.
 

Articles about Fr. Matthew Donahue

Following God's Call - East Tennessee Catholic (9/10/2021)
Chosen for the Order of Priesthood - East Tennessee Catholic (9/11/2021)


Below photos courtesy of The East Tennessee Catholic, Dan McWilliams