Daily Kennebec journal., 1901-01-19
NAMES NEW BISHOP.
The Appointment OF Vicar General O'Bricn I
Most Pleasing One.

The appointment of Rev Michael
Charles O'Brien, pastor of St Mary :
Catholic church. Bangor. as bishop of
the diocese of Portland, is a most pleas
ing one to the Maine Catholics. who are
unanimous in the opinion that no better
choice for this high office could have been
made. rs Bishop Ilealy's vicar general.
and later as administrator Of the diocese
Fr. O'Brien has had practically full charge
of the affairs of the diocese for several
years past and has acquired an intimate
knowledge of the condition of the
churches which will now be under his
charge Fr. O'Brien is we'll known for
his scholarly attainments. being a pro
found theoIogian and an accomplished
IinGuist, speaking seven languages fluent
ly.
Fr. OBrien was born in county Kerry,
near Killarney. ireland, on Oct 20, ISL
He received his early education and made
his preliminary classical studies there
under tutors and III schools. Coming 10
America in 1850 he landed in New York
and in the spring of 1861 entered St
Charles college. Maryland. where he re
maincd until the following September
when he entered St Mary's Seminary.
Baltimore, to commence the four years
course for the priesthood.
on June y. 1863. he was ordained sub
deacon and deacon. being then too young
for the priesthood, but on Sept. y. 1865. i'll
the cathedral at Portland, he was or
dained to the priesthood by Bishop Ba-
con At that time he was II months unnev
the canonical age, and the ceremony was
carried out only by special dispcnsation.
mained over year at the cathedral as
assistant priest, being there at the time
of the great fire of 1866. and performing
good services a that time of disaster and
general dist in Portland
In December. 1866, he was sent to Rock
land as pastor of the church in that city.
remaining there until the summer of
1865 when he was called to St. Dom
inick's parish in Portland administrd-
tor.
In 1S1 Fr. O Brien went to Exeter, y.
H., as pastor, and remained there SIX
months, having Newmarket and RocheS-
ter also under his charge, the whole par
ish embracing territory where now half a
dozen priests are stationed. In Decem-
her, lSIl, he became pastor of st. Mary ;
church. Augusta, continuing there until
the spring of 1874. From 1873 to ia. h.
was assistant to Rev. Edward McSwec-
ncy, pastor of ST. Johns church. in Ban
gor.
In 1874 FIR O'Frien WAS sent to Old
Town pastor of the churches there. at
\ Orono and on Indian island, 1t ~
while FIR. q Brien was III" spiritual dire
tor of the Old Town Indians that he com
menccd the study of the Ahcnani tonguC
and laid the foundations of his lcarnIn,.
on this and kindred subjects which has
placed him in prominence as the tore
most living student Of the Indian lam
gudGc III this country.
While there nc compiled a grammar Of
the AhonaN language and engaged ia
other historical ana pathological work
which Won for him immediate rccoSni-
tion.
tr. q Ericn was appointed pastor of 81.
Marys church in Bangor i'll lSS0, heinz
the successor of Rev. John w. Murphy,
who later was appointed vicar general.
when he took charge of affairs there. til
chulCh was heavily i'll debt. having only
recently been completed. and there were
no parish buildings. Since his pastorate
thefc not only has he greatly improved
ana added To the beauty of the church it
self, bat has also erected Il parochial
residence. the handsome block at Cedar
ana Main streets. a part of which is oC-
Gnpicd as a residence for the Christian
brothers the school building and con
vent on FIRST street Besides all these
. noNcmCntS which have added not only Ia
tht value of the parish property, hut al
soto me beauty of that part If thr city
indeed. Bangor. AS 4 city. is indebted
70 Fr q Bricu for his public spirit anc
interest in the community which prompt
"a lhr restoring Of waste property an.
streets
ITS but natural that Fr O'Brien shnuIl
@ thc recipient of hunnrs after his years
VI mslccessful work. Since the celebration
VI the 18th anniversary ot his ordination
~ the priesthood. FIR Brien WAS mad,
ornament rector. an especial honor
Sfldom conferred: then h" WAS appointc.
,btcar general by Bishop Iealy and before
@ ule death of that prclate, named as adj
Illustrator during the interim when tn,
ui9cesc should he without Il head.
,bror many years he was 4 member ol
tLile bishops council and il was during
II mS service on this board that BishoI
tlealy realized oven more forciby thar
a @Cetnre pn the ability possessed by r
AT. Q Bricn. years ago. received III
tegllnn 70 premiership in the Maine rs
brical Society for his work in Indiai
n,nored by heinS a chosen member Of tn,
a1uierlcan Antiquarian Society Fr
l brlen is also member of the Amer
"tdhh-lrlsh Historical Society and scvcrd
O'hci organizations of this nature