Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-05-12
BISHOP ENJOYS BIRTHDAY
Ri. Rev. Richard Scannel is Sixty
Seven Years Old Today.
LIFE Is ONE OF MUCH ACTIVITY
During Distinguished Prelate's Res
idenee in Nebraska He Has Es-
tablished More Than One
Hundred Churches.

Born in Cloyne. County Cork. ireland,
bishop OF the Catholic diocese Of Omaha,
is today 81 years Of age. His birthday
will be observed In a quiet way and With
out any public function. Early mass will
be said and after this the bishop will
spend the Sabbath at his usual devotions,
probably receiving a few callers during
the afternoon.
Time has dealt kindly with Bishop
Scannell and his personal appearance
would indicate that he is a man not much
past 90 Ills step is elastic and his eye
keen. In fact. he is in much better health
than when he came to Omaha twenty-one
years ago.
Bishop Scannell was educated for the
priesthood In his youth he attended
school in Middleton. ireland, and later
was graduated from All Hallows collegs.
Dublin. February g. ISL he was or
dained O priest and soon afterward came
to America, becoming assistant at the
cathedral at Nashville, Tenn. remaining
there until 1878, when he was appointed
rector Of ST, Colombia church, East Nash
VILE. One year later he was recalled
to become the rector Of the cathedral
From 1880 until 1S3 he was the admins
traitor of the diocese, going TO St Jo-
sCph's church in West Nashville, where
he continued as rector until 1855 and a
year later. was appointed vicar general
In 1887 he was consecrated bishop Of Con-
cordia, Kan, remaining In charge OF the
Kansas diocese until January 81. 1891,
when he was transferred to Omaha, be-
coming bishop of the diocese, which then
included all Of Nebraska.
Establishes Many Churches.
During his entire life, Bishop Scannell
has been very active in church aad educa-
tional work and since coming here has
done much to build up the Catholic
church. During his long residence in
Omaha he has Travelled thousands Of
miles over the prairies holding services
and establishing churches. He has sell
dom failed to hold from one to two ser
vices each Sunday and during his resi-
dence here has confirmed not less than
15.000 persons. He has established sixty
parochiai schools and aided in the or
ganization OF more than 100 churches In
the state.
Probably one Of the greatest works I'M
dertaken by the bishop was that OF the
building Of the cathedral, which Is well
along toward completion and which,
ready for occupancy. will cost not far
from $4,000. He has established st.
GATHERINGS hospital. This Is located In
the old Kountze home on South Tenth
street and is for general purposes. but is
designed especially as an institution for
the treatment OF women and children.
Through his efforts the Good Shepherd
Home. an institution for nurses, located
at Fortieth and Jones streets and costing
$500. coo, has been brought into existence
And operation. He has also carved out
the Holy Angels parish. where sub
stantial church has been erected at
Twenty-eighth street and Fowler avenue.
making this parish one of the largest
and most prosperous In the city.
Since taking over the diocese. the work
has Increased to a wonderful extent,
necessitating the reduction OF the area.
Consequently to relieve Bishop scannell
OF some Of the labors. the state has been
divided, the west half having been
created into a separate diocese.