John Connolly, O.P. (1750—February 6, 1825) was an Irish-born clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. A Dominican, he served as Bishop of New York from 1814 until his death in 1825.
John Connolly was born in County Meath, Ireland; according to various sources, he was born in either Slane[1] or Drogheda.[2] [3] After receiving his early education in his native country, he continued his studies in Belgium, and entered the Order of Friars Preachers, more commonly known as the Dominicans, at an early age.[2] He was subsequently sent to Rome, where he was ordained to the priesthood on September 24, 1774.[4] Among the various capacities he filled in Rome, Connolly served as a professor at the Dominican convent of St. Clement, of which institution he later became prior.[1] He was also an agent of the Irish bishops, and saved the English and Irish colleges— as well as his own convent, church, and library—from being plundered by the French invaders.[1]
On October 4, 1814, Connolly was appointed the second Bishop of New York in the United States by Pope Pius VII.[4] He received his episcopal consecration on the following November 6 from Cardinal Cesare Brancadoro, with Archbishops Giovanni Francesco Guerrieri and Giovanni Marchetti serving as co-consecrators, in Rome.[4] However, Connolly did not reach New York until November 24, 1815.[1] Since Bishop R. Luke Concanen had been impeded from sailing for New York, Connolly was the first Bishop of New York to personally minister to his flock.[5] At the time of his arrival, the diocese covered all of New York and part of New Jersey, with four priests, three churches, and approximately 15,000 Catholics.[2] During his tenure, he erected churches in Utica and Rochester, founded an orphanage, and introduced the Sisters of Charity.[3] He later died at age 74, and was interred at St. Patrick's Old Cathedral.[5]
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by R. Luke Concanen |
Bishop of New York 1814-1825 |
Succeeded by John Dubois |
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