Francis Kelley

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Bishop Francis Clement Kelley

Born	October 23, 1870 Prince Edward Island, Canada
Died	February 1, 1948 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Occupation	priest, Catholic Bishop

Francis Clement Kelley (October 23, 1870 - February 1, 1948) was the second Catholic Bishop of Oklahoma. He was a Catholic Priest for 54 years, and Bishop for 23 years.

Francis Clement Kelley was born in Prince Edward Island, Canada. His early education and seminary training were in Canada, and he was ordained a priest for the diocese of Detroit, Michigan, in 1893. In 1905, he founded the Catholic Church Extension Society of the United States and was elected its first president. The Extension Society continues to do great work in promoting the mission of the Catholic Church in rural and mission areas of the United States. Kelley also founded and edited the quarterly Extension Magazine, which had more than 3 million subscribers during his administration. In addition to his editorial duties, he authored numerous books

Bishop Kelley was active in war and diplomacy during his day, and he served as a military chaplain during the Spanish-American War. As a diplomat, Kelley represented the bishops of Mexico during the World War I Peace Conference in Paris. He also initiated unofficial negotiations between the Vatican and the Italian government for a settlement of the Roman question. Two years after the war, Kelley was sent to England by the Vatican to settle postwar differences over German and American missions. As president of the Extension Society, Kelley also represented the Mexican bishops during the Carranza Revolution. He established a seminary in Texas for exiled Mexican seminarians and clergy.

Kelley was consecrated Bishop of Oklahoma in 1924. During his years as Bishop, he successfully resisted the agitation of the KKK and continued his work as the "Extension Bishop." Like other missionary dioceses in the country, Oklahoma received funds from the Extension Society to build and to furnish churches. Under his care the infant diocese grew to maturity. Bishop Kelley died in Oklahoma City.

The Diocesan high school, Bishop Kelley High School, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as well as Bishop Kelley Catholic School, in Lapier, Michigan, are named for Bishop Francis Kelley.