The Most Reverend

Daniel Francis Feehan
Bishop of Fall River
SeeDiocese of Fall River
In officeSeptember 19, 1907
July 19, 1934
PredecessorWilliam Stang
SuccessorJames Edwin Cassidy
Orders
OrdinationDecember 29, 1879
by Francis McNeirny
ConsecrationSeptember 19, 1907
by Thomas Beaven
Personal details
Born(1855-09-24)September 24, 1855
Athol, Massachusetts
DiedJuly 19, 1934(1934-07-19) (aged 78)
DenominationRoman Catholic
EducationSt. Mary's College
St. Joseph's Seminary

Daniel Francis Feehan (September 24, 1855 – July 19, 1934) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Fall River in Massachusetts from 1907 until his death in 1934.

Biography

Early life

Daniel Feehan was born on September 24, 1855, in Athol, Massachusetts, to William and Joanna (née Foley) Feehan.[1] When he was a young child, his family moved to Millbury, Massachusetts. Feehan attended public schools in Millbury, where he befriended future US President William Howard Taft.[2]

Feehan completed his classical and philosophical studies at St. Mary's College in Montreal, Quebec, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1876.[3] He then studied theology at St. Joseph's Seminary in Troy, New York, for three years.[4]

Priesthood

Feehan was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts by Bishop Francis McNeirny on December 29, 1879.[5] His first assignment was as a curate at St. Bernard's Parish in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, where he remained for seven years.[1] He then served as pastor of St. Luke's Parish in West Boylston, Massachusetts (1886–89).[3] In 1889, he returned to St. Bernard's, serving there rector until 1907.[2]

Bishop of Fall River

On July 2, 1907, Feehan was appointed the second bishop of the Diocese of Fall River by Pope Pius X.[5] He received his episcopal consecration on September 19, 1907, from Bishop Thomas Beaven, with Bishops Matthew Harkins and Michael Tierney serving as co-consecrators.[5] During his 27-year tenure, he became known as the "Benevolent Bishop" and established thirty-six parishes.[2]

In January 1934, Pope Pius IX named the Reverend James Edwin Cassidy as coadjutor bishop of the diocese to serve as Feehan's assistant and successor.[6]

Death and legacy

Daniel Feehan died on July 19, 1934, at age 78.[5] Bishop Feehan High School, a parochial school in Attleboro, Massachusetts, was named after him when it opened in 1961.

References

  1. ^ a b Curtis, Georgina Pell. The American Catholic Who's Who. Grosse Pointe, MI: Walter Romig.
  2. ^ a b c "Bishop Daniel Feehan". Bishop Feehan High School. Archived from the original on 2011-08-16.
  3. ^ a b "Fall River". Catholic Encyclopedia.
  4. ^ O'Donnell, John Hugh (1922). The Catholic Hierarchy of the United States, 1790-1922. Washington, D.C.((cite book)): CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  5. ^ a b c d Cheney, David M. "Bishop Daniel Francis Feehan". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
  6. ^ "BISHOP CASSIDY ELEVATED; Named Coadjutor of Fall River With Right of Succession". The New York Times. 1934-07-13. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-06-02.
Catholic Church titles Preceded byWilliam Stang Bishop of Fall River 1907 – 1934 Succeeded byJames Edwin Cassidy
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