Patrick Richard Heffron | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Winona | |
 | |
| Church | Catholic Church |
| Diocese | Diocese of Winona |
| Appointed | March 4, 1910 |
| Term ended | November 23, 1927 |
| Predecessor | Joseph Bernard Cotter |
| Successor | Francis Martin Kelly |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | December 22, 1884 by Édouard-Charles Fabre |
| Consecration | May 19, 1910 by John Ireland |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1856-06-01)June 1, 1856[1] New York City, U.S. |
| Died | November 23, 1927(1927-11-23) (aged 71) Winona, Minnesota, U.S. |
Patrick Richard Heffron (June 1, 1856[1] – November 23, 1927) was an American prelate of theCatholic Church. He served as the secondBishop of Winona from 1910 until his death in 1927.
Patrick Richard Heffron was born inNew York City on June 1, 1856,[1] to Patrick and Margaret (née O'Brien) Heffron.[2] The family later moved toRipon,Wisconsin, and settled inOlmsted County,Minnesota, in 1864.[6] He received his early education at public schools in New York and Wisconsin, and attended high school inMantorville.[7] Afterwards he attended business college and law school inRochester.[7]
Deciding to enter the priesthood, Heffron began his studies under theBenedictines atSt. John's College inCollegeville, MN, graduating in 1878.[8] He then continued his studies at theGrand Séminaire de Montréal and received the degree ofDoctor of Divinity in 1883.[2]
While in Montreal, Heffron was ordained a priest on December 22, 1884, by BishopÉdouard-Charles Fabre.[3] Following his ordination, he returned to Minnesota and taught theology atSt. Thomas Seminary for two years.[8] ArchbishopJohn Ireland sent him to further his studies inRome, where he earned doctorates in theology and canon law from the college atSanta Maria sopra Minerva in 1889.[8]
Returning from Europe, Heffron served as rector of theCathedral of Saint Paul from 1889 to 1896.[2] He then returned to St. Thomas Seminary, being appointed vice rector in 1896.[9] In 1897, he was promoted to the seminary's rector.[8]
On March 4, 1910, Heffron was appointedBishop of Winona byPope Pius X.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on the following May 19 from Archbishop Ireland, with BishopsJames McGolrick andJames Trobec serving as co-consecrators.[3]
When Heffron became bishop in 1910, the Diocese of Winona contained a Catholic population of over 49,000 with 91 priests, 116 churches, and 29 parochial schools with 4,700 students.[10] By the time of his death in 1927, there was a Catholic population of nearly 69,000 with 130 priests, 125 churches, and 42 parochial schools with over 8,000 students.[11] He openedCotter High School in 1911 andSt. Mary's College in 1912.[2]
On August 27, 1915, Heffron was shot twice while celebrating private mass by Laurence M. Lesches, a diocesan priest. Lesches had been angry at Heffron for denying him his own parish due to Lesches' arrogant behavior and emotional instability.[12] Heffron survived, but Lesches was committed to a mental hospital for the rest of his life.[13]
He was named anassistant to the papal throne byPope Benedict XV in November 1920.[14]
Heffron died from brain cancer on November 23, 1927.[15]
| Catholic Church titles | ||
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| Preceded by | Bishop of Winona 1910–1927 | Succeeded by |
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