Denis J. O'Connell
Encyclopedia
Bishop Denis J. O'Connell (January 28, 1849–January 1, 1927) was an Irish
Catholic
bishop
of the Diocese of Richmond
in Virginia
. He was born in Donoughmore
, Ireland
. He was ordained a priest in 1877 in Richmond
at the age of 28, after studies in Rome at the Pontifical North American College
. After serving as assistant to Archbishop James Gibbons of Baltimore Msgr. O'Connell was appointed rector of the seminary in Rome, holding that position until 1895. From 1903 to 1909, he served as the third rector of The Catholic University of America
. He was named bishop of Richmond in January, 1912, and resigned in 1926. During his lifetime, he also served as Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco, Titular Bishop of Sebaste
in Cilicia
, and Titular Bishop of Mariamme. He was a priest for over 49 years and a bishop for over 18. He died January 1, 1927 at the age of 77.
Bishop Denis J. O'Connell High School
in Arlington
, Virginia
is named for him.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the Diocese of Richmond
Roman Catholic Diocese of Richmond
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Richmond is an ecclesiastical and episcopal see or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. Its current territory was created by Pope Paul VI and encompasses all of central and southern Virginia, Hampton Roads, and the eastern shore...
in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. He was born in Donoughmore
Donoughmore
Donoughmore is a parish in County Cork which lies 25 km west north west of Cork city in Ireland.-Amenities:Donoughmore has two primary schools. Scoil Iósaif and St. Lachteen's...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. He was ordained a priest in 1877 in Richmond
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
at the age of 28, after studies in Rome at the Pontifical North American College
Pontifical North American College
The Pontifical North American College is a Roman Catholic educational institution in Rome, Italy educating seminarians for the dioceses in the United States and providing a residence for American priests studying in Rome. It was founded in 1859 by Blessed Pope Pius IX and was granted pontifical...
. After serving as assistant to Archbishop James Gibbons of Baltimore Msgr. O'Connell was appointed rector of the seminary in Rome, holding that position until 1895. From 1903 to 1909, he served as the third rector of The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America is a private university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States. It is a pontifical university of the Catholic Church in the United States and the only institution of higher education founded by the U.S. Catholic bishops...
. He was named bishop of Richmond in January, 1912, and resigned in 1926. During his lifetime, he also served as Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco, Titular Bishop of Sebaste
Elaiussa Sebaste
Elaiussa Sebaste or Elaeousa Sebaste was an ancient Roman town located from Mersin in the direction of Silifke in Cilicia on the southern coast of Anatolia . Elaiussa, meaning olive, was founded in the 2nd century B.C...
in Cilicia
Cilicia
In antiquity, Cilicia was the south coastal region of Asia Minor, south of the central Anatolian plateau. It existed as a political entity from Hittite times into the Byzantine empire...
, and Titular Bishop of Mariamme. He was a priest for over 49 years and a bishop for over 18. He died January 1, 1927 at the age of 77.
Bishop Denis J. O'Connell High School
Bishop Denis J. O'Connell High School
Bishop Denis J. O'Connell High School was founded in 1957 in Arlington County, Virginia. It was operated by the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, but has been under the direction of the Diocese of Arlington since 1974. The school is named for Bishop Denis J...
in Arlington
Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The land that became Arlington was originally donated by Virginia to the United States government to form part of the new federal capital district. On February 27, 1801, the United States Congress organized the area as a subdivision of...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
is named for him.