Quick Facts
Biography
Eugene O'Connell (June 18, 1815 – December 14, 1891) was the first Roman Catholic bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Grass Valley, California.
Early pastoral appointments
O'Connell studied at St. Patrick's College, Maynooth and was ordained to the priesthood on May 21, 1842. O'Connell, who had been a seminary professor in All Hallows College, Dublin, Ireland, was named Vicar Apostolic of Marysville, California and titular bishop of Flaviopolis on September 26, 1860 by Pope Pius IX.
Episcopal appointment
O'Connell was ordained as a bishop on February 3, 1861 by Cardinal Paul Cullen. On February 3, 1868, O'Connell was named the first bishop of the Grass Valley Diocese. While the diocese was erected in Grass Valley, O'Connell chose to live in Marysville. He served as a Council Father to the First Vatican Council convoked by Pope Pius IX. He was instrumental in choosing then Father Patrick Manogue to start a ministry in the Nevada Territory. Along with Manogue, O'Connell encouraged the Daughters of Charity to help in Nevada. He dedicated Saint Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church in 1864.
Final years
O'Connell resigned on March 17, 1884. On that date, he was appointed as titular bishop of Ioppe. He died in Los Angeles, California on December 4, 1891.
The remains of Eugene O'Connell were moved from Los Angeles to Sacramento over a hundred years after his death.
Episcopal succession
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Elías Rodríguez Ortiz | — TITULAR — Archbishop of Flaviopolis 28 September 1860 - 3 March 1868 | Succeeded by François Laouënan |
| New creation | Vicar Apostolic of Marysville 28 September 1860 - 3 March 1868 | Vicariate elevated to diocese |
| New creation | Bishop of Grass Valley 3 March 1868 - 29 February 1884 | Succeeded by Patrick Manogue |