| The Most Reverend Francis Patrick Keough |
|
|---|---|
| Archbishop of Baltimore | |
| See | Baltimore |
| Enthroned | February 24, 1948 |
| Reign ended | December 8, 1961 |
| Predecessor | Michael Joseph Curley |
| Successor | Lawrence Shehan |
| Other posts | Bishop of Providence (1934-1947) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | June 10, 1916 |
| Consecration | May 22, 1934 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 30, 1890 New Britain, Connecticut |
| Died | December 8, 1961 (aged 70) Baltimore, Maryland |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
Francis Patrick Keough (December 30, 1890—December 8, 1961) was an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Providence (1934-1947) and Archbishop of Baltimore (1947-1961).
Francis Keough was born in New Britain, Connecticut, the second and youngest son of Patrick and Margaret (née Ryan) Keough.[1] His parents were Irish immigrants, and his father died when Francis was only five years old.[1] He received his early education at the parochial school of St. Mary's Church in his native city, and began his studies for the priesthood at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield.[2] In 1911, he was sent to the Grand Seminary of Saint-Sulpice in Issy-les-Moulineaux, France.[2] He returned home following the outbreak of World War I, and completed his theological studies at St. Bernard's Seminary in Rochester, New York.[1]
On June 10, 1916, Keough was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Hartford by Bishop John Joseph Nilan.[3] His first assignment was as a curate at St. Rose Church in Meriden, where he remained until becoming private secretary to Bishop Nilan in 1919.[1] He also served as diocesan director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, assistant chancellor, and chaplain of two institutions.[2]
On February 10, 1934, Keough was appointed the fourth Bishop of Providence, Rhode Island, by Pope Pius XI.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on the following May 22 from Archbishop Amleto Giovanni Cicognani, with Archbishop John Murray and Bishop James Edwin Cassidy serving as co-consecrators.[3] During his tenure in Providence, the Catholic population of the diocese increased from 325,000 to 425,000, and the number of clergy grew by fifty percent.[1] He also founded a minor seminary, eased tensions between the French-speaking and English-speaking members of his congregation, and reduced the heavy financial debts burdening the diocese.[2]
On November 29, 1947, Keough was named by Pope Pius XII to succeed Michael Joseph Curley as the eleventh Archbishop of Baltimore, Maryland.[3] He was formally installed in the Basilica of the Assumption on February 24, 1948.[3] During the fourteen years of his administration, the Catholic population of the archdiocese, the first Catholic see in the United States, grew from 265,000 to 400,000.[4] The new Cathedral of Mary Our Queen and many new schools, homes, orphanages and other institutions were built.[4] He was a trustee of the Catholic University of America and a member of the American Board of Catholic Missions, and served three terms as chairman of the National Catholic Welfare Conference.[4] Keough was known as the "Archbishop of the poor" due to his dedication to orphans and the aged.[5] He was named an Assistant at the Pontifical Throne in 1959.[4]
Keough died from cerebral thrombosis, aged 70.[5]
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by William A. Hickey |
Bishop of Providence 1934 – 1947 |
Succeeded by Russell J. McVinney |
| Preceded by Michael Joseph Curley |
Archbishop of Baltimore 1948 – 1961 |
Succeeded by Lawrence Shehan |
|
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