| Most Rev. Edward Cornelius O'Leary | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Portland | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| See | Portland |
| In Office | December 18, 1974—September 27, 1988 |
| Predecessor | Peter Leo Gerety |
| Successor | Joseph John Gerry, O.S.B. |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | June 15, 1946 |
| Consecration | January 25, 1971 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 21, 1920 Bangor, Maine |
| Died | April 2, 2002 (aged 81) Portland, Maine |
| Previous post | Auxiliary Bishop of Portland (1971-1974) |
Edward Cornelius O'Leary (August 21, 1920—April 2, 2002) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Portland from 1974 to 1988.
Edward O'Leary was born in Bangor, Maine, and studied at Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts, from where he obtained his Bachelor's degree.[1] He also attended St. Paul's Seminary in Ottawa, Canada, there earning a Licentiate of Sacred Theology.[1] Returning to Maine, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Joseph Edward McCarthy on June 15, 1946.[2]
O'Leary was a curate at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception before serving at Sacred Heart Church of Portland and at St. Margaret's Church in Old Orchard Beach.[1] He was later named chancellor of the Diocese of Portland, and a Domestic Prelate by Pope John XXIII in 1959.[1] He was pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Brunswick from 1967 to 1971.[3]
On November 16, 1970, O'Leary was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Portland and Titular Bishop of Moglaena by Pope Paul VI.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on January 25, 1971 from Bishop Peter Leo Gerety, with Bishops Bernard Joseph Flanagan and Lawrence Graves serving as co-consecrators, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.[2] Following the promotion of Bishop Gerety to Archbishop of Newark in April 1974, O'Leary was named to succeed him as the ninth Bishop of Portland on October 16, 1974.[2] He was formally installed on December 18 of that year.[2]
During his tenure, O'Leary was forced to address the problems of an increasing population but a decline in priestly vocations.[4] He encouraged the greater involvement of laity and women in church administration, and developed a system of parish councils.[1] The Portland Diocese also joined the Maine Council of Churches during this time.[4] O'Leary took frequent public stands on a number of social issues of importance to the Church, endorsing a referendum on pornography and opposing the Maine Equal Rights Amendment (which he believed would enforce taxpayer-funded abortions).[1] He also targeted AIDS victims for the Church's social services program.[1] It was also customary for Bishop O'Leary to visit all the hospitals every Christmas Day.
After fourteen years as bishop, O'Leary retired due to health reasons on September 27, 1988.[2] He later died at age 81. He was brother of the sister-in-law of Bishop Thomas Vose Daily.[5]
He is fondly remembered for his quick wit, ready laugh, and unfailing affability. He remained Bishop Emeritus of Portland until his death on April 2, 2002.
| Preceded by Peter Leo Gerety |
Bishop of Portland 1974–1988 |
Succeeded by Joseph John Gerry, O.S.B. |