Andrew Brennan (bishop)

Andrew James Louis Brennan (December 14, 1877 – May 23, 1956) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Richmond from 1926 to 1945.

Andrew Brennan was born in Towanda, Pennsylvania, to James and Ellen (née Flood) Brennan. He studied at Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts, from where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1900. He then attended St. Bernard's Seminary in Rochester, New York, before going to Rome to study at the Pontifical North American College. Brennan was ordained to the priesthood on December 17, 1904. He earned a Doctor of Divinity degree in Rome in 1905. Following his return to Pennsylvania, he taught Greek and Latin at St. Thomas College from 1905 to 1908. He also served as chancellor of the Diocese of Scranton (1908-1923) and rector of St. Peter's Cathedral (1914-1924).

On February 23, 1923, Brennan was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Scranton and Titular Bishop of Thapsus by Pope Pius XI. He received his episcopal consecration on the following April 15 from Bishop Michael John Hoban, with Bishops Bernard Joseph Mahoney and John Murray serving as co-consecrators. In addition to his episcopal duties, he served as pastor of St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church in Dunmore. Following the resignation of Bishop Denis J. O'Connell in January 1926, Brennan was appointed the eighth Bishop of Richmond, Virginia, on May 28, 1926. He suffered a paralytic stroke in 1934 and again in 1935. His long illness cut short his service to the diocese. After nineteen years as Bishop of Richmond, Brennan resigned on April 14, 1945; he was appointed Titular Bishop of Telmissus on the same date. He later died at St. Vincent de Paul Hospital in Norfolk, aged 78.