The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-10-25

DEATH OF BISHOP 0'GONNOR.-Rev.M NJ
O'Connor, S. j., late Catholic Bishop of thi
diocese died at Woodstock College, neal
Baltimore at fifteen minutes before O'CLOCK
/ on Friday morning last, after All illness o.
I more than year, which he bore with sur
prising patience and truly Christian resigna
ton
Bishop O'Counor. was born in the vicinity
of the city of Cork, ireland, February, 1910
and was sent to the College of the Propa
ganda, Rome at an early age from which
, he passed with the highest honors, and OF
whom it was said by the late Cardinal Wise
man, he was the bright, particular star -
, He was in accordance with the rules of that
! institution, TO be devoted to the missionary
field, and, after short soiouru in Ireland,
: embarked for the United States. He was
/ for some years President of the Theological
Seminary, in Philadelphia, of St. Charles
/ Borromeo.
| He came to Pittsburgh as Vicar General
in the year 1871. He was consecrated
Bishop, August 10, 1913, in Rome whittier
he had gone to join the Jesuit order. He
brought with him to this country, in Decem-
ber OF the same year, a community OF the
Sisters of Mercy, now spread over the Uni
ted States, and some years afterwards the
Order of Passionists. Upon the establish
ment of the Diocese of Erie, in 1853. he was
transferred there at his own request but
resumed charge of the Diocese of Pittsburgh
at the instance of the Holy See, i'll 1854 in
which he continued until his resignation in
June, 1860.
He established the first successful hospital
in Pittsburgh in 1876, which he placed in
charge of the Sisters of Mercy. He also
founded a Theological Seminary, which was
very dear to his heart, and which was not
forgotten during his years of retirement.
The Pittsburgh Post, in commenting on
his death, says /: Not alone among those of
his own religious faith will this announce
ment of his passing away" be heard with
unaffected sorrow, but among many of our
older citizens will his name be remembered
l,, f..l
boundless charity, uncircumscribed by creed
or color, and his elevated Christian charac-
ter
The more we consider the wisdom of his
measures, the extent of his labors, and the
muniticcnce of his charities the more do we
find that
HIS distinction true and vital,
Shines supreme o er crowns and thrones.
The mildness humility, and personal
suavity of his character were such, that he
seemed TO realize with MaSSillon, the great
Bishop OF Clermont, ''that the pleasure of
doing good was in itself n sufficient reward
As scholar he was an ornament to liter
ature as a citizen he illustrated all the civic
virtues Bishop he was the pride OF the
EpiscOpacy. But ii was especially as the
Good Shcpherd'-the friend of the poor,
the father OF the fathcrlcss, the promoter OF
education, and the exemplar and expounder
OF the eGospel--that his character shone with
glorious refulgence. Called away after An
eventful and we'll spent life, we but iInper-
fectly re-echo the opinions of those who
knew him best when we say
He was u man! in form and mind and soul,
As few who wear the shape deserve the name;
And DIs great tide to that generous claim
W as his fuitllment OF true manhoOd's whole.
\ Gospel priest, his heart and lip the coal
From Gods high altar warmed; faithful, de-
vOut,
His sacred place within; to things without
Using the world above the worlds control,
or good report y Bishop; from hII side
Malicious SHIFTS teli harmless; in mis- mien
He walked; ia open ways he lived and died.
How missed his look, his speech, his cordial
handi
How mourncd by all tLe good Blessed viii
his memory stand.