A Catholic priest and archdeacon, John McEncroe became Chaplain to the Catholics of Australia in 1832. He was involved in the care of convicts, in benevolent societies and in the development of Catholic education, and was known for his radical view on worker's rights and his opposition to the convict transportation system. He was also a 'pioneer and apostle' of the temperance movement.
In 1850 McEncroe founded the Catholic periodical The Freeman's Journal (inspired by its Irish namesake), as a moderate, liberal Catholic newspaper. He edited the Australasian Chronicle from 21 February to 7 October 1843 after the removal of W. A. Duncan, the founding editor, and its successor, The Morning Chronicle, announcing his departure in the issue of 25 November 1843.