Bishop O'Connor (1942-1946)

Bishop during World War II

• Introduction
• Early life and ordination to priesthood
  • Priestly ordination
  • World War I chaplain
  • Seminary philosophy professor
• Appointment as bishop of Superior
  • New bishop lauded
  • A true Irish wit
  • Founding of new parishes and schools
• A Shepherd During Time of War
  • Support for local blood drives
  • Dispensations of Lenten rules
  • Prayers for peace
• Appointment as bishop of Madison
• Born to eternal life

The appointment of a decorated World War I military chaplain as Superior's fifth bishop came 24 days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. William Patrick O'Connor was serving as a parish priest in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee when he was named bishop of Superior on December 31, 1941. It was the third time a Milwaukee clergyman was elevated as bishop of the Superior Diocese.

Born to Patrick and Ellen O'Connor in Milwaukee on October 18, 1886, Bishop O'Connor was educated at St. John Cathedral School and St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee.

Priestly ordination

He was ordained to the priesthood on March 10, 1912, and was assigned to St. Rose Parish in Milwaukee, where he served until 1916. During this time he attended Marquette University and earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1916. Bishop O'Connor continued his studies in philosophy at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

World War I chaplain

World War I interrupted his education. In June 1917, Bishop O'Connor enlisted as a chaplain in the Calvary regiment of the Wisconsin National Guard, which later became known as the 32^nd "Red Arrow" Division. He served at Camp Douglas and Camp McArthur, Texas, before the division was sent to France. Chaplain O'Connor was awarded the French Croix de Guerre medal for bravery when he carried a wounded officer of the French Legion to safety under fire. "On Armistice Day 1918, he was appointed a captain and senior division chaplain, the youngest senior chaplain in the U.S. Army," stated the Catholic Herald Citizen January 19, 1946. After serving another year with the occupation forces in Germany, he was discharged May 30, 1919, at Camp Upton, NY.

Seminary Philosophy professor

Bishop O'Connor resumed his studies at Catholic University in 1920. He earned a doctor of philosophy degree in 1921 and returned home to Milwaukee. He was appointed to St Francis Seminary and spent the next 20 years as a professor of philosophy. In 1939 he was named president of the American Catholic Philosophical Society, and on February 1, 1941, he became pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Milwaukee.

In 1942, he was appointed bishop of Superior by Pope Pius XII. Bishop O'Connor’s episcopal consecration took place March 7, 1942, at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Milwaukee. Archbishop Moses E. Kiley presided at the liturgy, which also included three other archbishops, 19 bishops and two abbots. During a reception at the Pfister Hotel, attention turned to the state of world affairs.

New bishop lauded

Bishop O'Connor was lauded for his "strong faith and courage, evidenced by his years of service to the church and to his country," the Catholic Herald Citizen reported. The toasts of two archbishops seemed to have set the tone for Bishop O'Connor's tenure as bishop:

"Archbishop Kiley In response to the toast, 'Our Holy Father,’ pointed out that the best way of showing one's loyalty and fidelity to His Holiness was to hearken to his plea for “’prayers, prayers and more prayers for peace,'" the Catholic Herald Citizen reported.

"Archbishop Stritch, in his toast to 'Our Country,' said that not since the days of Valley Forge has this country known such a crisis as it faces today. 'This calls for sacrifice and service, based on a genuine patriotism.'"

A true Irish wit

It did not take long for Catholics in the Superior Diocese to form a favorable opinion of their new bishop. Nor did it take long for the new bishop to settle into his new post.

"While serving as bishop in Superior, he became widely known for his true Irish wit. His almost weekly walk up and down the main street of Superior brought him into a wide range of friends. All the business persons of the city knew him as he would stop in each shop to greet them" (Superior Catholic Herald, June 28, 1980).

Founding of new parishes and schools

Bishop O'Connor founded three new parishes during his tenure in Superior. He also opened two new schools and erected 10 units of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, which grew to an enrollment of 12,000 children.

Yet for all of Bishop O'Connor's merits, it was his leadership during a time of war that defined his service in Superior. He was the ninth World War I chaplain to be elevated to the episcopacy in America.

Support for local blood drives

When St. Mary Hospital in Superior held a blood drive for the war effort in March 1943, Bishop O'Connor was the first in line to donate a pint of blood.

Dispensations of Lenten rules

In 1943, Bishop O'Connor joined other U.S. bishops in granting dispensations on the Lenten practices of fasting and abstinence. In a letter to priests dated March 3, 1943, the bishop explained: "This year, owing to the extraordinary circumstances created by the war, the customary Lenten Rules will not be published. The authority to dispense their subjects from the usual laws of fast and abstinence has been granted to the (bishops) of this country by His Holiness Pope Pius XII." The letter was read to the faithful at Masses the following weekend. Bishop O'Connor continued the special dispensation during the 1944 and 1945 Lenten seasons.

Prayers for peace

On more than one occasion, the wartime bishop beseeched his flock to pray for peace.

On December 3, 1942 he wrote:

"Today we remember Pearl Harbor and the treachery that plunged us into the awful volcano of the World War. Our country today needs the help of Mary, and we who love her as children love their mother, turn to her with hearts filled with confidence and hope that she will assist us in our efforts to gain a swift victory and a secure peace."

He outlined a program that would take place on the feast day, which included Mass

"to be offered for the welfare of America, especially for the intention of all those men and women of each parish who are serving with our armed forces."

As World War II neared an end, Bishop O'Connor urged pastors to offer a Mass of Thanksgiving and request that parishioners recite the rosary in their homes "as an act of penance and thanksgiving."

After just three years and 20 days as leader of the Diocese of Superior, the shortest tenure of all Superior bishops, Bishop O'Connor was given a new assignment. On January 15, 1946, Pope Pius XII created the Diocese of Madison and appointed Bishop O'Connor as its first bishop. He was installed as bishop of Madison on March 12, 1946, at St. Raphael Cathedral.

Before his departure, two farewell gatherings were held in his honor: one given by the laity and held at the Superior Elks Club on September 28, 1946, and one given by priests of the diocese one week later at St. Joseph Children's Home.

For two decades, Bishop O'Connor guided the Diocese of Madison before retiring on February 22, 1967. Among his long list of honors were honorary doctorates of law from Notre Dame and Marquette universities, and an honorary doctorate of letters from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.

On Friday, July 13, 1973, Bishop O'Connor suffered a heart attack at his residence. He died that night at a Madison hospital. A funeral Mass was celebrated at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Monona and interment followed at Resurrection Cemetery in Madison.

In his honor, the Madison Diocese named its pastoral center after their first bishop. The Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center was dedicated in February 1998.


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Source: Our Journey through Faith: A History of the Diocese of Superior, by Sam Lucero, 2005.