Denis T. O'Connor
Encyclopedia
Denis T. O'Connor C.S.B. (28 March 1841 – 30 June 1911) was the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Toronto
from 1899 to 1908 and the first Canadian born Archbishop of Toronto and the first Canadian head of the diocese since Michael Power
.
O'Connor was born in Pickering, Ontario
and professed as a member of the Basilian Order at the Congregation of St. Basil
in 1860. He became a priest at the same congregation in 1863 by John Joseph Lynch
.
O'Connor became a theology professor at St. Michael's College
in Toronto
and Superior
of Assumption College
in Windsor, Ontario
.
O'Connor left his academic posting and was appointed Bishop of Diocese of London, Ontario in 1890 and finally as Archbishop of Toronto in 1899.
O'Connor's academic background made him a strong supporter of education. Under O'Connor, there was a drive for certification for Separate School teachers and he guaranteed an equal education for all Catholics.
He also served as Titular
Archbishop of Laodicea
in Syria from 1908 and made Archbishop Emeritus in 1911. Forced to resign due to his poor health (O'Connor suffered from Bright's Disease and diabetes), he died in Toronto
in 1911. He is buried in a Basilian plot at Mount Hope Catholic Cemetery
in Ontario.
A Catholic High School in Ajax is named for him.
Roman Catholic Archbishops of Toronto
This is a list of the Roman Catholic Archbishops of Toronto.The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto was created out of the Diocese of Kingston December 17, 1841....
from 1899 to 1908 and the first Canadian born Archbishop of Toronto and the first Canadian head of the diocese since Michael Power
Michael Power (Canadian bishop)
Michael Power was the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Toronto.-Early years:Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada to Captain William Power and Mary Roach. He went to Seminary of St. Sulpice, Montreal and Seminary of Quebec and was ordained a priest in 1827 by Bishop Dubois...
.
O'Connor was born in Pickering, Ontario
Pickering, Ontario
Pickering is a city located in Southern Ontario, Canada immediately east of Toronto in Durham Region. It is part of the Greater Toronto Area, the largest metropolitan area in Canada.- Early Period :...
and professed as a member of the Basilian Order at the Congregation of St. Basil
Congregation of St. Basil
The Basilian Fathers, also known as The Congregation of Saint Basil, is an international order of Catholic priests and students studying for the priesthood, who focus on education and ministering through oratories....
in 1860. He became a priest at the same congregation in 1863 by John Joseph Lynch
John Joseph Lynch
John Joseph Lynch C.M. was the Roman Catholic Bishop of Toronto from 1860 to 1870 and the last Bishop as the diocese and the first Archbishop of Toronto .-Early years:...
.
O'Connor became a theology professor at St. Michael's College
University of St. Michael's College
The University of St. Michael's College is a college of the University of Toronto, founded in 1852 by the Congregation of St. Basil of Annonay, France. While mainly an undergraduate college for liberal arts and sciences, St. Michael's retains its Roman Catholic affiliation through its postgraduate...
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
and Superior
Superior (hierarchy)
In a hierarchy or tree structure of any kind, a superior is an individual or position at a higher level in the hierarchy than another , and thus closer to the apex. It is often used in business terminology to refer to people who are supervisors and in the military to people who are higher in the...
of Assumption College
Assumption College
Assumption College is a private, Roman Catholic, liberal arts college located on 185 acres in Worcester, Massachusetts. Assumption has an enrollment of about 2,117 undergraduates...
in Windsor, Ontario
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
.
O'Connor left his academic posting and was appointed Bishop of Diocese of London, Ontario in 1890 and finally as Archbishop of Toronto in 1899.
O'Connor's academic background made him a strong supporter of education. Under O'Connor, there was a drive for certification for Separate School teachers and he guaranteed an equal education for all Catholics.
He also served as Titular
Titular (Catholicism)
In Roman Catholicism, a titular can be:*the cardinal who holds a titulus, one of the main churches of Rome. Such holders were initially by tradition native-born Romans . The first church in Rome to have a non-Italian titular was Santi Quattro Coronati: Dietrich of Trier was appointed titular in...
Archbishop of Laodicea
Laodicea
- Turkey :*Laodicea on the Lycus, in Phrygia*Laodicea Pontica, in the Pontus*Laodicea Combusta, in Pisidia- Other countries :* Laodicea , in Greece* Laodicea , in Iraq* Laodicea in Media, former name of Nahavand, Iran...
in Syria from 1908 and made Archbishop Emeritus in 1911. Forced to resign due to his poor health (O'Connor suffered from Bright's Disease and diabetes), he died in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
in 1911. He is buried in a Basilian plot at Mount Hope Catholic Cemetery
Mount Hope Catholic Cemetery
Mount Hope Catholic Cemetery at 305 Erskine Avenue in Toronto, Ontario, Canada was consecrated on July 9, 1898 by Roman Catholic Archbishop John Walsh. The first burial occurred on March 27, 1900. By the end of the 20th Century, the cemetery was full, holding the remains of more than 76,000 persons...
in Ontario.
A Catholic High School in Ajax is named for him.