Thomas Charles O'Reilly (February 22, 1873 – March 25, 1938) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church who served as bishop of the Latin Diocese of Scranton in Pennsylvania from 1928 to 1938.
Thomas Charles O'Reilly | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Scranton | |
 | |
| Church | |
| Diocese | Scranton |
| Installed | December 16, 1927 |
| Term ended | March 25, 1938 |
| Predecessor | Michael John Hoban |
| Successor | William Joseph Hafey |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | June 4, 1898 by Francesco di Paola Cassetta |
| Consecration | February 16, 1928 by Dennis Joseph Dougherty with Joseph Schrembs and Bernard Joseph Mahoney (co-consecrators) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 22, 1873 Cleveland, Ohio, US |
| Died | March 25, 1938 (aged 65) Miami Beach, Florida, US |
| Education | |
Biography
editEarly life
editO'Reilly was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Patrick and Delia (née Readdy) O'Reilly.[1] After attending Spencerian Business College (1887–1888), he studied at St. Ignatius College (1889–1893) and St. Mary's Seminary (1893–1894) in Cleveland.[1] He then furthered his studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.[2]
Priesthood
editO'Reilly was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Cleveland by Cardinal Francesco di Paola Cassetta on June 4, 1898.[3] In 1899, he earned a Doctor of Sacred Theology from the Propaganda University in Rome
Upon returning to Ohio, O'Reilly served as a curate at St. John's Cathedral until 1901, when he became professor of dogmatic theology at St. Mary's Seminary. He earned a Doctor of Laws in 1909 from the University of Notre Dame. He was chancellor (1909–1916) and vicar general (1916–1921) of the diocese before serving as pastor of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.[2]
Bishop of Scranton
editOn December 16, 1927, O'Reilly was appointed the third Bishop of Scranton, Pennsylvania, by Pope Pius XI.[3][4] He received his episcopal consecration on February 16, 1928 from Cardinal Dennis Joseph Dougherty, with Bishops Joseph Schrembs and Bernard Joseph Mahoney serving as co-consecrators.[3] During his tenure, he established seven parishes and fourteen schools in the diocese, despite the economic ravages of the Great Depression.[5]
However, the increased burden of responsibility took its toll on his health, and his tenure was correspondingly shortened.[clarification needed][5] O'Reilly later died in Miami Beach, Florida, aged 65.[2][4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b The Catholic Encyclopedia and its Makers. The Encyclopedia Press. 1917. p. 130. Retrieved September 25, 2021 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ a b c "History". Bishop O'Reilly/Central Catholic Alumni. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Bishop Thomas Charles O'Reilly". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. February 25, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2024.[self-published source]
- ^ a b "Bishop O'Reilly Dies Suddenly; Rites Thursday". The Evening Times. Sayre, Pennsylvania. UP. March 26, 1938. pp. 1, 5. Retrieved September 25, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Bishop Thomas C. O'Reilly: 1928-1937". Diocese of Scranton. Archived from the original on September 5, 2009. Retrieved August 18, 2009.
