Richard Alphonsus O'Connor

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Bishop Richard Alphonsus O'Connor

Richard Alphonsus O’Connor (13 January 1838 – 23 January 1913) was a Canadian priest and Bishop of Peterborough, Ontario.

Born in Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland, O'Connor emigrated to Canada with his parents in 1841 settling in Toronto. He received his early education in the Toronto separate schools, and in 1852, entered St. Michael's College School in Toronto. In 1859, he entered the Grand Seminary of St. Sulpice, Montreal, to complete his theological course. He was ordained priest August 2, 1861, in St. Michael's Cathedral, Toronto, by Archbishop John Joseph Lynch. His first charge after ordination was as assistant priest at Toronto Gore, and in January, 1862, he was appointed pastor of that mission. In December, 1865, he was transferred to Niagara Falls mission, and in September, 1868, he was entrusted with the parish of South Adjala, Ont. In October, 1870, he was made Dean of Barrie, where he remained for over eighteen years, taking a leading position in educational matters. He was consecrated Bishop in St. Peter's Cathedral, Peterborough on May 1, 1889.