William Aloysius O'Connor | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Springfield in Illinois | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| See | Diocese of Springfield in Illinois |
| In office | March 7, 1949 to July 22, 1975 |
| Predecessor | James Aloysius Griffin |
| Successor | Joseph Alphonse McNicholas |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | September 24, 1927 by George Mundelein |
| Consecration | March 7, 1949 by Samuel Stritch |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 27, 1903 |
| Died | November 14, 1983(1983-11-14) (aged 79) |
| Education | St. Mary of the Lake Seminary Propaganda College |
| Motto | Praesidium nobis Deus (God is our protection) |
William Aloysius O'Connor (December 27, 1903 – November 14, 1983) was an Americanprelate of theRoman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of theDiocese of Springfield in Illinois from 1949 to 1975.
William O'Connor was born on December 27, 1903, inChicago,Illinois, to John and Mary (née Murphy) O'Connor.[1] His brother was longtime Chicago newsman Len O'Connor. William O'Connor attendedArchbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago from 1917 to 1922, andSt. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois, from 1922 to 1928.[1]
O'Connor wasordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Chicago by CardinalGeorge Mundelein on September 24, 1927.[2] He then furthered his studies inRome at thePropaganda College, obtaining aDoctor of Sacred Theology degree in 1930.[1]
On his return to Chicago in 1930, O'Connor served as aprofessor at Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary until 1935.[1] He then attended theNew York School of Social Work in New York City before becomingsuperintendent of St. Mary's Training School inDes Plaines, Illinois, in 1936.[1] He was named supervisor ofCatholic Charities in the archdiocese in 1938, and president of the National Conference of Catholic Charities in 1944.[1] O'Connor was raised by the Vatican to the rank of adomestic prelate in 1946.[1] He also served on the advisory board of theWar Relief Services in theNational Catholic Welfare Council and as director of theUSO Council of Chicago.[1]
On December 17, 1948, O'Connor was appointed the fifth bishop of Springfield in Illinois byPope Pius XII.[2] He received hisepiscopalconsecration on March 7, 1949, atHoly Name Cathedral in Chicago from CardinalSamuel Stritch, with BishopsJohn Boylan andAlbert Zuroweste serving asco-consecrators.[2]
O'Connor instituted theConfraternity of Christian Doctrine in 1950, initiated the diocesan development fund in 1952 formissionary work within the diocese, and founded the diocesan Latin School in 1954 for training young men preparing to enter the priesthood.[3] He held diocesansynods in 1953 and 1963.[3] O'Connor attended all four sessions of theSecond Vatican Council in Rome between 1962 and 1965, and was a member of the administrative board of theUnited States Catholic Conference and Department of Health Affairs from 1969 to 1972.[4]
On July 22, 1975,Pope Paul VI accepted O'Connor's resignation as bishop of Springfield in Illinois.[2] William O'Connor died after suffering acardiac arrest at St. John's Hospital in Springfield on November 14, 1983, at age 79.[4]
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| Preceded by | Bishop of Springfield in Illinois 1949—1975 | Succeeded by |
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