The Irish standard., 1903-03-21

there, after which, in 1867, he passed
to Holy Cross college, Worcester,
Mass, where he was graduated in
1869. Returning to Montreal for his
seminary course, he was ordained
priest for the diocese of Springfield,
December p, 1872, and entered upon
parochial work in the city of Wor-
cester, where he remained in active
ministry until he was selected by the
bishops, in October, 1896, and ap-
pointed by Pope Leo XIII in the fol-
lowing November, to succeed Arch
bishop Keane as rector of the Catho-
lie university at Washington.
OF the 24 years spent in Worcester,
seven We're passed as assistant at st.
Johns church and seven as pastor of
the Sacred Heart parish, which he Or
sanized, building and completing the
church and other parochal appoint
ments. He was active in social and
educational work, and from the first
years of his priesthood identified
himself with the Catholic total alb
stinence movement, in which he is
still Il prominent factor. He served
two terms as it's vice-presdent and
two terms as president. Bishop Con-
atty has been lifelong abstainer.
He was honored by the votes of the
citizens Of his city, who elected him
to positions Of trust. For II years
he was member of it's Board Of Edu
cation, and also served two terms of
six years each as Il trustee of it's pub
lie library. He was recognized as a
patriot and was selected on several
occasions as the Memorial Day orator.
When leaving Worcester for his new
field of labors at Washington, men,
regardless of creed and nationality,
representing all the different phases
of Worcester's religious, educational,
business and political life, honored
him with a public banquet, at which
the good will and esteem of all classes
were manifested in an eminent de-
gree.
DIR. Conaty took deep interest in
the land movement in Ireland, and
served for several years as treasurer
of different funds contributed for the
purpose of carrying on the constitu-
tiolal agitation for the rights of the
people of Ireland to self-government.
He was a close friend of the leaders
Of the movement.
He assumed charge of the univer-
sity at Washington in January, 1897.
The next year he was honored by the
pope with an appointment as domestic
prelate, and the insignia of this Dig
nifty was conferred upon him by Car
dinal Gibbons in the presence of a
large gathering of the hierarchy of
the country.
Right Rev. Thomas J. Conaty was
consecrated in the Baltimore Cathe-
dral November q, 1901, as titular
bishop of Samos. The ceremony of
conservation was performed by Car
dinal Gibbons. Archbishops Williams,
OF Boston; Ryan, Of Philadelphia; Cor
rigan, of New York (since dead; Ell
der, OF Cincinnati; Kahn, of ST. Louis;
Ireland, of St.Paul, Kane, of Dubuque;
Christie. of Oregon, and katzer, of
Milwaukee, were present.
While rector of the university he
has labol'ed to unite and coordinate.
the different parts of the Catholic
educational system, and the success
Of the conference of Catholic colleges,
over which he presided, is largely due
to his disinterestedness and devotion
to Catholic education. lie also oryan-
lied the Conference of Summaries,
DR.. Conaty was largely instrumental
i'll establishing Trinity College for
Catholic Women, which finds in the
university a guidance and help.
Interested in the educational do
velopment of the people, Dr. Conaty
was found among the earliest promot-
ers of the Catholic Summer School
movement, and was for four success
sive years its president. He was
largely influential in establishing the
summer school in it's beautiful home
at Plattsburg, and resigned the office
of president when appointed to the
rectorate at Washington.
DR.. Conaty established and edited
for four years the Catholic School
and Home Magazine which was rec
ognized not only for it's literary
merit. but also for it's practical help.
fulness in parochial and Sunday
school work.
The new rector of the university.
who will succeed Bishop Conaty, is
Mgr. Denis O'Connell. The pope ap-
pointed him January - last.