Name Leo Smith | ||
Leo Richard Smith (August 31, 1905 – October 9, 1963) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Ogdensburg, New York in 1963.
Biography
Leo Smith was born in Attica, New York to Adam Henry and Mary Jane (née O'Neil) Smith. He attended Canisius College in Buffalo, from where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1926. He then furthered his studies in Rome, earning a Ph.D. from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in 1928 and a Doctor of Sacred Theology from the Urban College of Propaganda in 1930. He was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Basilio Pompilj on December 21, 1929. He received a doctorate in canon and civil law in 1932.
Following his return to New York, Smith served as a curate at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Buffalo until 1934, when he became assistant chancellor of the Diocese of Buffalo. He also served as diocesan director of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (1935-1941) and of youth activities (1941-1946). He was raised to the rank of Papal Chamberlain in 1942 and a Domestic Prelate in 1946. He was named chancellor (1946) and later vicar general (1953) of the Diocese of Buffalo.
On June 30, 1952, Smith was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Buffalo and Titular Bishop of Marida by Pope Pius XII. He received his episcopal consecration on the following September 24 from Archbishop Amleto Giovanni Cicognani, with Bishops Raymond Augustine Kearney and James H. Griffiths serving as co-consecrators. He became episcopal moderator of the National Apostleship of the Sea in 1961. Following the transfer of James Johnston Navagh to Bishop of Paterson, Smith was named eighth Bishop of Ogdensburg on May 13, 1963. However, he only remained in office for five months. Smith died in Rome while attending the Second Vatican Council, aged 58.