William O'Hara

O'Hara was born in Dungiven, County Londonderry, he came with his parents to the United States in 1820, settling at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[1]

After attending Georgetown College in 1832, he was sent by Bishop Francis Kenrick to study at the College of the Propaganda in Rome.[2] He there earned his Doctor of Divinity degree with the highest honors.[2] While in Rome, he was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Giacomo Filippo Fransoni on December 21, 1842.[3]

O'Hara, following his return to Pennsylvania, was named a curate at St. Patrick's Church in Philadelphia.[4] He then served as rector and professor of moral theology at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.[4] He became pastor of St. Patrick's Church in 1856, and vicar general of the Diocese of Philadelphia in 1860.[1]

On March 3, 1868, O'Hara was appointed the first Bishop of the newly erected Diocese of Scranton by Pope Pius IX.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on the following July 12 from Bishop James Frederick Wood, with Bishops William Henry Elder and Patrick N. Lynch serving as co-consecrators, at the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul.[3] At the time of O'Hara's arrival in Scranton the following September, there were only 24 priests and parishes.[5] By the time of his death 30 years later, there were 152 priests, 100 parishes, and 32 parochial schools.[5] He also founded St. Thomas College (later University of Scranton), an orphanage, and a hospital.[5]

O'Hara died after a long illness in Scranton, aged 82.[2] He is buried under the main altar of St. Peter's Cathedral.[4]