Los Angeles County
Biographies
RT. REV. THOMAS JAMES CONATY
CONATY, RT. REV. THOMAS JAMES, Roman Catholic Bishop of Monterey and Los Angeles, California, is a native of Ireland, having been born in Kilnaleck, County Caven, Ireland, August 1, 1847. His father was Patrick Conaty and his mother Alice (Lynch) Conaty. He comes from old Milesian stock, inhabitants of Ireland for centuries.
Bishop Conaty came to Massachusetts with his parents May 10, 1850, and was educated in the public schools of Taunton, that State. On December 30, 1863, he entered Montreal College, Canada, where he studied for a brief period. In September, 1867, he entered the junior class of the Holy Cross College, Worcester, Massachusetts, and graduated with the degree of A. B., July, 1869. He then entered the Grand Seminary at Montreal, and was ordained priest December 21, 1872. He received the degree of D.D. from the Georgetown University in July, 1889, and that of J. C. D. from Laval University of Quebec, December 1896.
On January 1, 1873, Bishop Conaty was made assistant Pastor of St. John’s Church, Worcester, Massachusetts. He remained in this position for seven years, winning a large acquaintance through his genial disposition and strong personality. For his labors in that locality he was made Pastor of the Sacred Heart Church of Worcester January 10, 1880.
His education, breadth of mind and knowledge of educational subjects caused him to be elected a member of the School Board of that city, which office he filled, exercising the highest sense of duty toward the general public, for fourteen consecutive years. Many of the best educational measures passed by that board while Bishop Conaty was a member are accredited to his liberal and far-reaching policies. Another civic recognition was his election as Trustee of the Worcester Public Library. His counsel was productive of the best results and he was re-elected for another term of six years.
Pope Leo XIII appointed him Rector of the Catholic University of America at Washington, D. C., October 22, 1896. Here he remained for six years. He was appointed by Leo XIII as Domestic Prelate of the Pope in the latter part of 1897. In 1901 his great ability was again recognized by the Head of the Roman Catholic Church when he was honored with the office of Titular Bishop of Samos.
On November 24 of the same year he was consecrated Bishop by Cardinal Gibbons at Baltimore, Maryland.
On March 27, 1903, he was appointed bishop of Monterey and Los Angeles, taking active charge of that diocese in June of the same year, with headquarters in Los Angeles.
From July, 1892, until 1896 he served as President of the Catholic Summer School of America at Plattsburg, New York. He was President of the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of America, 1886-1888, and is an advocate of that movement in its fullest extent. From 1900 to 1903 he was President of the Conference of Catholic Colleges of America.
Bishop Conaty has always been identified with the Parliamentary movement in America for reforms in Ireland, and has worked for better conditions in his native country throughout his entire life. He advocates radical educational, political and social reforms.
He is the author of numerous works, among them being the “New Testament Studies” (1896) and the Catholic School and Home Magazine (1892-96). His literary efforts are not limited to one subject, but cover a large field of religious, educational and civic subjects.
As a pulpit orator he stands in the foremost rank. As a public speaker and lecturer he has attained great prominence. As an American citizen he stands for which is highest and best in citizenship.
Bishop Conaty, being of broad mind and progressive instincts, takes an active interest in the development of the country over which he exercises religious jurisdiction and has been concerned in numerous movements for the moral and civic betterment of Los Angeles. He has been connected with numerous plans for the uplifting of the public mind.
He is a member of the Newman Club, sunset Club, California and University Clubs of Los Angeles, the Municipal League and the Choral Society. He is associate member of the G. A. R. Post 10, Worcester, Massachusetts.
Transcribed 4-27-09
Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: Press
Reference Library, Western Edition Notables of the West, Vol. I, Page 247,
International News Service, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles,
Boston, Atlanta. 1913.
© 2009 Marilyn R. Pankey.
GOLDEN NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES BIOGRAPIES