William Henry O'Connell

Born on December 8, 1859, William Henry O’Connell was appointed on February 8, 1901 and consecrated as the third Bishop of the Diocese of Portland on May 19, 1901. Bishop O’Connell graduated from Boston College with concentrations of philosophy, physics and chemistry. He also studied at the Pontifical North American College in Rome and was ordained to the priesthood in 1884. Prior to arriving in Maine, William Henry O’Connell was rector of the North American College. During his tenure as Bishop of Portland, Bishop O’Connell was named papal envoy to Japan and is remembered for a successful diplomatic mission to the country on behalf of the Holy See. In 1906, Bishop O’Connell was named Coadjutor Archbishop of Boston, and eventually served as Archbishop of Boston. Bishop O’Connell, who was named a cardinal in 1911, died on April 22, 1944.