Eugene O'Connell
Encyclopedia
Eugene O'Connell was the first Roman Catholic bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Grass Valley
, California
.
on May 21, 1842. O'Connell, who had been a seminary
professor in Dublin, Ireland, was named
Vicar Apostolic of Marysville, California
and titular bishop
of Flaviopolis on September 26, 1860 by Pope Pius IX
.
on February 3, 1861 by Cardinal Paul Cullen. On February 3, 1868, O'Connell was named the first bishop of the Grass Valley Diocese. While the diocese was erected in Grass Valley, O'Connell chose to live in Marysville. He served as a Council Father
to the First Vatican Council
convoked by Pope Pius IX. He was instrumental in choosing then Father
Patrick Manogue
to start a ministry
in the Nevada Territory
. Along with Manogue, O'Connell encouraged the Daughters of Charity to help in Nevada. He dedicated
Saint Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church in 1864.
of Ioppe. He died in Los Angeles, California
on December 4, 1891.
The remains of Eugene O'Connell were moved from Los Angeles to Sacramento
over a hundred years after his death.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Grass Valley
The Diocese of Grass Valley was a diocese of the Latin Church of the Catholic Church located in northeastern California, United States. The diocese also included most of Nevada, and, early in its history, Utah and part of Colorado.-History:...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Early pastoral appointments
O'Connell was ordained to the priesthoodPresbyterium
Presbyterium is a modern term used in the Catholic Church and Eastern Catholic Churches after the Second Vatican Council in reference to a college of priests, in active ministry, of an individual particular church such as a diocese or eparchy...
on May 21, 1842. O'Connell, who had been a seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
professor in Dublin, Ireland, was named
Appointment of Catholic bishops
The appointment of bishops in the Catholic Church is a complicated process. Outgoing bishops, neighbouring bishops, the faithful, the apostolic nuncio, various members of the Roman Curia, and the pope all have a role in the selection...
Vicar Apostolic of Marysville, California
Marysville, California
Marysville is the county seat of Yuba County, California, United States. The population was 12,072 at the 2010 census, down from 12,268 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Yuba City Metropolitan Statistical Area, often referred to as the Yuba-Sutter Area after the two counties, Yuba and...
and titular bishop
Titular bishop
A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place...
of Flaviopolis on September 26, 1860 by Pope Pius IX
Pope Pius IX
Blessed Pope Pius IX , born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, was the longest-reigning elected Pope in the history of the Catholic Church, serving from 16 June 1846 until his death, a period of nearly 32 years. During his pontificate, he convened the First Vatican Council in 1869, which decreed papal...
.
Episcopal appointment
O'Connell was ordained as a bishopBishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
on February 3, 1861 by Cardinal Paul Cullen. On February 3, 1868, O'Connell was named the first bishop of the Grass Valley Diocese. While the diocese was erected in Grass Valley, O'Connell chose to live in Marysville. He served as a Council Father
Ecumenical council
An ecumenical council is a conference of ecclesiastical dignitaries and theological experts convened to discuss and settle matters of Church doctrine and practice....
to the First Vatican Council
First Vatican Council
The First Vatican Council was convoked by Pope Pius IX on 29 June 1868, after a period of planning and preparation that began on 6 December 1864. This twentieth ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church, held three centuries after the Council of Trent, opened on 8 December 1869 and adjourned...
convoked by Pope Pius IX. He was instrumental in choosing then Father
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
Patrick Manogue
Patrick Manogue
Patrick Manogue was a miner '49er, pioneer priest and the founding Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento, California.-Early life:...
to start a ministry
Apostolates
Apostolates are organizations of the Catholic laity devoted to the mission of the Catholic Church.-Explanation:Most understand the term "apostolate" to be synonymous with the term ministry, or outreach, such as "youth ministry." The disambiguation is seen when one considers that within Catholic...
in the Nevada Territory
Nevada Territory
The Territory of Nevada was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 2, 1861, until October 31, 1864, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Nevada....
. Along with Manogue, O'Connell encouraged the Daughters of Charity to help in Nevada. He dedicated
Dedication
Dedication is the act of consecrating an altar, temple, church or other sacred building. It also refers to the inscription of books or other artifacts when these are specifically addressed or presented to a particular person. This practice, which once was used to gain the patronage and support of...
Saint Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church in 1864.
Final years
O'Connell resigned on March 17, 1884. On that date, he was appointed as titular bishopTitular bishop
A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place...
of Ioppe. He died in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
on December 4, 1891.
The remains of Eugene O'Connell were moved from Los Angeles to Sacramento
Sacramento, California
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
over a hundred years after his death.