John Francis O'Hara

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Styles of
John Cardinal O'Hara
Reference style His Eminence
Spoken style Your Eminence
Informal style Cardinal
See Philadelphia


John Francis Cardinal O'Hara, CSC, (August 1, 1888August 28, 1960) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Philadelphia from 1951 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1958.

Contents

[edit] Biography

John Francis O'Hara was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as one of the eight children of John and Ella (née Thornton) O'Hara. He studied at the Catholic University of Uruguay in Montevideo, University of Notre Dame in Indiana, Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and University of Pennsylvania. O'Hara entered the Congregation of Holy Cross on August 8, 1912, and later made his profession on September 14, 1914.

Ordained as a priest by Bishop Joseph Chartrand on September 9, 1916, he then taught at his alma mater of Notre Dame, of which he was also spiritual director. He served as Instructor of Religion, Dean of the College of Commerce, Vice President (1933–1934), and President (1934-1939) of Notre Dame. He was also one of the directors of Catholic army and navy chaplains during World War II[1].

On December 11, 1939, O'Hara was appointed Apostolic Vicar for the US Military Forces and Titular Bishop of Milasa. He received his episcopal consecration on January 15, 1940 from Archbishop Francis Spellman, with Bishops John Noll and Joseph Ritter serving as co-consecrators, in Sacred Heart Church. He was named the eighth Bishop of Buffalo on March 10, 1945, and was promoted to the fifth Archbishop of Philadelphia on November 23, 1951.

As Philadelphia's archbishop, O'Hara condemned the Supreme Court's ruling against banning the films La Ronde and M[2]. Moreover, not overly favorable of radio and television, he suggested that his flock sacrifice such entertainment for Lent[3].

He was created Cardinal Priest of Ss. Andrea e Gregorio al Monte Celio by Pope John XXIII in the consistory of December 15, 1958. O'Hara died following surgery in Philadelphia, at age 72[4]. He is buried in Sacred Heart Church at Notre Dame, Indiana.

[edit] Legacy

Cardinal O'Hara High School in Springfield, Pennsylvania and Cardinal O'Hara High School in Tonawanda, New York in the Diocese of Buffalo, NY were named after the Cardinal.

[edit] Trivia

[edit] References

  1. ^ TIME Magazine. Philadelphia's O'Hara December 10, 1951
  2. ^ TIME Magazine. The Censors February 1, 1954
  3. ^ TIME Magazine. The Busy Air March 8, 1954
  4. ^ TIME Magazine. Milestones September 5, 1960
  5. ^ Ibid.
  6. ^ Cardinal O'Hara High School. [1]

[edit] Episcopal succession

Episcopal Lineage
Consecrated by: Francis Cardinal Spellman
Date of consecration: January 15, 1940
Consecrator of
Bishop Date of consecration
Hubert James Cartwright October 24, 1956

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Charles O'Donnell
President of the University of Notre Dame
1934–1939
Succeeded by
J. Hugh O'Donnell
Preceded by
Patrick Joseph Hayes
Apostolic Vicar for the US Military Forces
1939–1945
Succeeded by
Francis Joseph Spellman
Preceded by
John Aloysius Duffy
Bishop of Buffalo
1945–1951
Succeeded by
Joseph Aloysius Burke
Preceded by
Dennis Joseph Dougherty
Archbishop of Philadelphia
1951–1960
Succeeded by
John Joseph Krol