William O'Hara
| Right Rev. William O'Hara | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Scranton | |
 |
|
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| See | Scranton |
| In office | July 12, 1868—February 3, 1899 |
| Predecessor | New creation |
| Successor | Michael John Hoban |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | December 21, 1842 |
| Consecration | July 12, 1868 |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
April 14, 1816 Dungiven, County Londonderry, Ireland |
| Died | February 3, 1899 (aged 82) Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States |
William O'Hara (April 14, 1816 – February 3, 1899) was an Irish-born prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He was the first Bishop of Scranton, Pennsylvania (1868–1899). O'Hara is credited as the founder of St. Thomas College, which is now known as the University of Scranton.
O'Hara was born in Dungiven, County Londonderry, he came with his parents to the United States in 1820, settling at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
After attending Georgetown College in 1832, he was sent by Bishop Francis Kenrick to study at the College of the Propaganda in Rome. He there earned his Doctor of Divinity degree with the highest honors. While in Rome, he was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Giacomo Filippo Fransoni on December 21, 1842.
O'Hara, following his return to Pennsylvania, was named an curate at St. Patrick's Church in Philadelphia. He then served as rector and professor of moral theology at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. He became pastor of St. Patrick's Church in 1856, and vicar general of the Diocese of Philadelphia in 1860.
...
Wikipedia