The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-03-23
SKETCHES OF THE BISHOPS.
Both OF Them Noted for Great Picty and
StudjOuS Habits.

Rt. Rev. William O'Hara, Bishop OF
Scranton Is now in his seNenty-nlnth
year, having been born in Ireland III
1877. While he was yet an infant ms
parents came to this country. setting
i'm philadelphia, in st. Patrick's par
ish, where he was afterwards pastor
and where to this day he annually cele-
brates mass on the feast of the church $
patron saint. His elementary educa-
ton was acquired in the public schools
of Philadelphia and his early ciassicai
training was gained in the same city
under a private tutor. to whom ms par
ents entrusted his education. when they
perceived that he had an lhciihatioh
for the priesthood.
Then he went to Rome and there FOR
ten years pursued his philosophical ana
theological studies. He was ordained u
priest on Dee. 21. 1912, by Cardinal
FranZoni. i'm the cathedral of st. Jonh
Lateran. Rome. where, it might be in
cidentally remarked. Bishop Hoisan
also received holy orders. Immediate
ly after his ordination he returned TO
his home in PHILADELPHIA, where for
time he was an assistant at the cathe-
dral
From here he was transferred to
Chambersburg, where he was given his
first pastorate charge. and where ne
displayed the first evidences of the re-
markable executive ability ana capac-
ity for work. which so characterized
his after life and figured so extensively
in the upbuilding OF this great diocese.
His talents soon attracted attention
and demanded a large and more I'M
portant field st. Patrick's parish. IN
Philadelphia, was assigned nm, frst
serving there in the capacity OF assist
ant and after a short time being pro-
NOTED to- the pastOrate.
ptAt In h
was his election to the first presidency
of ST. Charles Barromeo seminary.
where he also occupied the chair of
theology, filling at the same time the
responsible position of vicar-general OF
the diocese.
In 1856 Rt. Rev. John Newman. then
bishop of the Philadelphia diocese. ap-
piled to Rome to have his bishopric di-
vided The diocese of Philadelphia in
those days embraced the entire state of
Pennsylvania. while the necessity or
desirability of a division was not con-
ceded at once, 1t became apparent to
the authorities at Rome In the course
of a few years and on March 3. 1865,
a see was established at Scranton. with
ten counties comprising the diocese.
This was eight years after the death of
Bishop Newmann ands while Bishop
Wood was at the head of ecclesiastical
affairs.
The nomination of Rev. William
O'Hara for the episcopal chair was CO.
incident with the establishment OF the
see. His conservation occurred on Sun
| day, July II, 1868. in the cathedral at
Philadelphia. Bishop Wood was the
consecrating prelate and the assistants
We're Rt. Rev. Bishop Dominic and Rt.
Rev. Bishop McGill. There were pres
ent at the ceremony Bishop Whalen,
of Wheeling; Bishop Lynch, of Charles
ton; Bishop Bailey. of Newark, and
Bishop Mcfarland, of Hartford.
After quarter of a century's work in
this elevated Office and half a century
in the priesthood came another great
event i'm his life, the celebration of his
silver and golden Jubilee, at Christmas
tide three years ago. the sOlemnty of
which Is still fresh in the minds Of the
public. Preates and priests from
many diOceses came to do him honor
and the laity. Catholic and Protestant
We'd with each other. i'm showing their
appreciation of one who had accom-
plished so much. not only spiritually,
but socially and materially for the ad-
vancement of this region.
What Bishop O'Hara has accom-
plished can not be told by figures. To