John Francis O'Hern

John Francis O'Hern (June 4, 1874 – May 22, 1933) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Bishop of Rochester from 1929 until his death in 1933.

John Francis O'Hern
Bishop of Rochester
In office	1929–1933
Orders
Ordination	February 17, 1901 by Cardinal Pietro Respighi
Consecration	March 9, 1930 by Cardinal Patrick Joseph Hayes
Personal details
Born	June 4, 1874 Olean, New York
Died	May 22, 1933 (aged 58)
Nationality	American
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Parents	Patrick and Ellen (née Casey) O'Hern
Education	Olean High School
Alma mater	St. Andrew's Preparatory Seminary

Biography

One of ten children, John O'Hern was born in Olean, New York, to Patrick and Ellen (née Casey) O'Hern.[1] Three of his brothers also entered the priesthood, and another served in the field staff of General John J. Pershing during World War I.[1] After graduating from Olean High School, he attended St. Andrew's Preparatory Seminary and St. Bernard's Seminary in Rochester. In 1897 he was sent to further his studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, and later earned a Doctor of Divinity from the College of Propaganda.[1]

O'Hern was ordained a priest by Cardinal Pietro Respighi on February 17, 1901.[2] Upon his return to Rochester, he was named curate at the Church of the Immaculate Conception and later at St. Patrick's Cathedral, where he became pastor in 1908.[1] He became pastor of Corpus Christi Church in 1921, and vicar general of the Rochester Diocese in 1922.[1]

On January 4, 1929, O'Hern was appointed the third Bishop of Rochester by Pope Pius XI.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on the following March 9 from Cardinal Patrick Joseph Hayes, with Archbishop Edward Joseph Hanna and Bishop Thomas Charles O'Reilly serving as co-consecrators.[2] During his tenure, he dedicated himself to bringing Catholics and non-Catholics together and promoting numerous associations of the laity.[3] He supported the Community Chest and Red Cross, and provided chaplains for Catholics attending secular colleges in the diocese.[3]

O'Hern later died at age 58.

References

1. "Most Rev. John Francis O'Hern". Olean Times Herald. 1933-05-23.
2. "Bishop John Francis O'Hern". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
3. "Diocesan History". Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester. Archived from the original on 2008-08-05.