William David O'Brien
The Most Reverend William David O'Brien | |
|---|---|
Roman Catholic Church |
William David O'Brien (August 3, 1878 – February 19, 1962) was an American
Roman Catholic Church. He served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago from 1934 until his death in 1962, and was named an Archbishop
in 1953.
Early life and education
William O'Brien was born in
ordained a priest by Archbishop James Edward Quigley on July 11, 1903.[3]
Priesthood
His first assignment was as a
cardinal, George Mundelein.[4] He became president of the Extension Society in 1925, after Monsignor Kelley was appointed Bishop of Oklahoma.[1] As president, he also served as editor of the monthly Extension Magazine.[1]
Episcopacy
On February 10, 1934, O'Brien was appointed
consecration on the following April 25 from Cardinal Mundelein, with Bishops Joseph Patrick Lynch and Bernard James Sheil, at Holy Name Cathedral.[3] As an auxiliary bishop, he continued to serve as president of the Extension Society and pastor of St. John's Church, both offices which he held until his death.[2]
In 1927, O'Brien attended an event sponsored by the
Fascist Government of Italy. He was dressed in bishop's vestments for the occasion. During the playing of the Giovinezza, the Italian Fascist anthem, O'Brien gave a roman salute, another trademark of fascism. In 1940, Italy gave O'Brien the Commander of the Order of the Crown Award.[6]
O'Brien was named an
Assistant at the Pontifical Throne in 1947.[1] On November 18, 1953, O'Brien was elevated to the rank of Titular Archbishop of Calynda by Pope Pius XII.[3] L'Osservatore Romano reported that his elevation was due to his "tireless work" with the Extension Society.[5] He was the first Catholic bishop in the United States who was not the head of a diocese to be named an archbishop.[5]
O'Brien was unanimously re-elected president of the Extension Society in 1954.[7] In his later years, he relinquished the editorship of the Extension Magazine and delegated many of his administrative duties, but still closely following the society's activities and frequently visiting its headquarters.[2] He died at Little Company of Mary Hospital in San Pierre, Indiana, at age 83.[4]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Curtis, Georgina Pell (1961). The American Catholic Who's Who. Vol. XIV. Grosse Pointe, Michigan: Walter Romig.
- ^ a b c d e "W.D. O'BRIEN, PRELATE, 83, DIES; RITES SET". Chicago Tribune. 1962-02-20.
- ^ a b c d "Bishop William David O'Brien". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
- ^ a b c "WILLIAM O'BRIEN, AN ARCHBISHOP, 83; Chicago Prelate Dies—Head of Church Extension Unit". The New York Times. 1962-02-20.
- ^ a b c Evan, John (1953-11-19). "O'BRIEN CHOICE AS ARCHBISHOP UNUSUAL HONOR; Vatican Paper Points to 'Tireless Work'". Chicago Tribune.
- ISBN 978-0-8078-6341-1.
- ^ "ARCHBISHOP RE-ELECTED; O'Brien Again Heads Catholic Church Extension Society". The New York Times. 1954-11-23.