Church Catholic Church Predecessor none Ordination 10 March 1912 | Diocese Diocese of Madison Successor Cletus F. O'Donnell | |
In office March 12, 1946 – July 13, 1973 Consecration March 7, 1942
by Archbishop Moses E. Kiley Born October 18, 1886
Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
United States ( 1886-10-18 ) Buried Resurrection Cemetery, Madison, Wisconsin,
United States Died 13 July 1973, Madison, Wisconsin, United States Place of burial Madison, Wisconsin, United States Alma mater Catholic University of America Books The concept of the human soul according to Saint Augustine | ||
William Patrick O'Connor (October 18, 1886 – July 13, 1973), was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as the fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Superior (1942–46) and the first bishop of the Diocese of Madison (1946–67).
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Early years
William O'Connor was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Patrick Dennis and Ellen Anna (née McCarthy) O'Connor. He received his early education at St. John Cathedral School, and then attended Marquette University. He studied for the priesthood at St. Francis Seminary.
Ordination and ministry
He was ordained a priest on March 10, 1912. His first assignment was as assistant pastor of St. Rose Church in Milwaukee, where he remained for four years. During World War I, he served as a chaplain with the 32nd Infantry Division; he was awarded the Croix de guerre medal for bravery in action. He then furthered his studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., earning his degree in 1920. He taught philosophy at St. Francis Seminary for twenty years, and was named pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Milwaukee in 1941. He became president of the American Catholic Philosophical Association in 1939.
Bishop of Superior, Wisconsin
On December 27, 1941, Pope Pius XII appointed O'Connor bishop of the Superior Diocese and he was consecrated on March 7, 1942.
Bishop of Madison, Wisconsin
On February 22, 1946, O'Connor was appointed the first bishop of the newly created Diocese of Madison, by Pope Pius XII. On February 18, 1967, Bishop O'Connor retired. He died in Madison, Wisconsin.