McDowell was ordained to the priesthood on November 4, 1945. On July 19, 1966, McDowell was
appointed as auxiliary
bishop of Pittsburgh and
titular bishop of
Tamazuca. He was
consecrated by
Cardinal John Joseph Wright on September 8, 1966. Auxiliary Bishop McDowell ordained the future Cardinal Archbishop of Boston,
Seán Patrick O'Malley, O.F.M. Cap., to the priesthood on August 29, 1970. McDowell retired on September 9, 1996. ==References==