Joseph Henry Conroy (November 8, 1858 – March 20, 1939) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Ogdensburg in Northern New York from 1921 until his death in 1939. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop for the same diocese from 1912 to 1921.


John Henry Conroy
Bishop of Ogdensburg
titular bishop of Arindela
SeeDiocese of Ogdensburg
PredecessorHenry Gabriels
SuccessorFrancis Joseph Monaghan
Other post(s)Auxiliary Bishop of Ogdensburg
Orders
OrdinationJune 11, 1881
ConsecrationMay 1, 1912
by John Farley
Personal details
Born(1858-11-08)November 8, 1858
DiedMarch 20, 1939(1939-03-20) (aged 80)
DenominationRoman Catholic
EducationSt. Michael's College
Grand Seminary of Montreal
St. Joseph's Seminary

Biography edit

Early life edit

Joseph Conroy was born on November 8, 1858, in Watertown, New York. He completed his preparatory studies for the priesthood in Canada at the Grand Seminary of Montreal in Montreal and at St. Michael's College in Toronto.[1] Returning to New York, he studied theology at St. Joseph's Seminary in Troy.[1]

Priesthood edit

Conroy was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Ogdensburg on June 11, 1881.[2] He was first assigned to the mission at Churubusco, New York, and then served as pastor of a parish in Rouses Point, New York.[1] In April 1883 he was named rector of St. Mary's Cathedral in Ogdensburg, New York.[3] He became vicar general of the diocese in March 1901, and was named a domestic prelate of his holiness in October 1905.[3]

Auxiliary Bishop of Ogdensburg edit

On March 11, 1912, Conroy was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Ogdensburg and titular bishop of Arindela by Pope Pius X.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on May 1, 1912, from Cardinal John Farley, with Bishops Henry Gabriels and Charles H. Colton serving as co-consecrators, at St. Mary's Cathedral.[2]

Bishop of Ogdensburg edit

Following the death of Bishop Gabriels in April 1921, Conroy was named the third bishop of Ogdensburg by Pope Benedict XV on November 21, 1921.[2] He was installed by Cardinal Patrick Hayes on January 18, 1922.[4] In 1935, he allowed Rev. Cyril Stevens to become president of Ticonderoga National Bank, despite canon law forbidding a priest to engage in business.[5]

Joseph Conroy died on March 20, 1939, at age 80.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Smith, John Talbot (1885). A History of the Diocese of Ogdensburg. Kessinger Publishing.
  2. ^ a b c d "Bishop Joseph Henry Conroy". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
  3. ^ a b The Catholic Church in the United States of America. The Catholic Editing Company. 1914.
  4. ^ "Install Bishop at Ogdensburg". The New York Times. 1922-01-19.
  5. ^ "Banker-Priest". TIME Magazine. 1935-10-07. Archived from the original on March 2, 2011.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Ogdensburg
1921–1939
Succeeded by