Daniel Francis Feehan

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

Biography[]

Daniel Feehan was born in Athol, Massachusetts, to William and Joanna (née Foley) Feehan.[1] As a young child he moved with his parents to Millbury, where he attended the local public schools and befriended the future President William Howard Taft.[2] He completed his classical and philosophical studies at St. Mary's College in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, 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]

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

On July 2, 1907, Feehan was appointed the second Bishop of Fall River by Pope Pius X.[5] He received his episcopal consecration on the following September 19 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]

Feehan died at age 78.

Legacy[]

Bishop Feehan High School (often just referred to as Feehan), a parochial school in Attleboro, was named for 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.
  5. ^ a b c Cheney, David M. "Bishop Daniel Francis Feehan". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Fall River
1907 – 1934 		Succeeded by
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