John Francis O'Hern


John Francis O'Hern
Bishop of Rochester
DioceseDiocese of Rochester
In officeJanuary 4, 1929 –
May 22, 1933
PredecessorThomas Francis Hickey
SuccessorEdward Mooney
Orders
OrdinationFebruary 17, 1901
by Pietro Respighi
ConsecrationMarch 9, 1930
by Patrick Joseph Hayes
Personal details
Born(1874-06-04)June 4, 1874
DiedMay 22, 1933(1933-05-22) (aged 58)
DenominationRoman Catholic
ParentsPatrick and Ellen (née Casey) O'Hern
EducationSt. Andrew's Preparatory Seminary
St. Bernard's Seminary
Pontifical North American College
College of Propaganda

John Francis O'Hern (June 4, 1874 – May 22, 1933) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as bishop of the Diocese of Rochester in New York State from 1929 until his death in 1933.

Biography

Early life

One of ten children, John O'Hern was born on June 4, 1874, in Olean, New York, to Patrick and Ellen (née Casey) O'Hern.[1] Three of his brothers also entered the priesthood, and another served in the field staff of US Army General John J. Pershing during World War I.[1] After graduating from Olean High School, John O'Hern attended St. Andrew's Preparatory Seminary and St. Bernard's Seminary, both in Rochester, New York.

In 1897, O'Hern was sent to Rome to reside at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, later earning a Doctor of Divinity degree from the College of Propaganda.[1]

Priesthood

O'Hern was ordained a priest in Rome for the Diocese of Rochester by Cardinal Pietro Respighi in Rome on February 17, 1901.[2] Upon his return to Rochester, the diocese assigned him as curate at Immaculate Conception Parish. He was later transferred to St. Patrick's Cathedral Parish in Rochester, where he became pastor in 1908.[1] O'Hern was named pastor of Corpus Christi Parish in Rochester in 1921. Bishop Thomas Hickey named O'Hern as vicar general of the diocese in 1922.[1]

Bishop of Rochester

On January 4, 1929, O'Hern was appointed the third bishop of Rochester by Pope Pius XI.[2] He received his episcopal consecration at St. Patrick's Cathedral on March 9, 1929, from Cardinal Patrick Hayes, with Archbishop Edward Hanna and Bishop Thomas O'Reilly serving as co-consecrators.[2] During his tenure as bishop, O'Hern worked toward establishing ecumenical ties with non-Catholics and promoting numerous associations of the laity.[3] He supported the Community Chest and American Red Cross, and provided chaplains for Catholics attending secular colleges in the diocese.[3]

John O'Hern died in Rochester on May 22, 1933, at age 58.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Most Rev. John Francis O'Hern". Olean Times Herald. 1933-05-23.
  2. ^ a b c d "Bishop John Francis O'Hern". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
  3. ^ a b "Diocesan History". Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester. Archived from the original on 2008-08-05.