Joseph Thomas O'Keefe

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joseph Thomas O'Keefe
Bishop emeritus of Syracuse
In office1987-1995
Orders
OrdinationApril 17, 1948
ConsecrationSeptember 8, 1982
by Cardinal Terence Cooke
Personal details
Born(1919-03-12)March 12, 1919
New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedSeptember 2, 1997(1997-09-02) (aged 78)
St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center, Syracuse, New York, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
DenominationRoman Catholic
ParentsMichael and Bridget (née O'Sullivan) O'Keefe

Joseph Thomas O'Keefe (March 12, 1919 – September 2, 1997) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Bishop of Syracuse from 1987 to 1995.

Biography[edit]

Joseph O'Keefe was born in New York City to Michael and Bridget (née O'Sullivan) O'Keefe.[1] He was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of New York on April 17, 1948.[2] During his priestly ministry, he served as a curate at St. Luke's Church and biology instructor and dean at Cardinal Hayes High School in The Bronx.[1] He also taught biology at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry and at St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers.[1] He was Secretary for Education and associate superintendent of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese, chancellor and vicar general, and pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Manhattan.[1]

On July 3, 1982, O'Keefe was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of New York and Titular Bishop of Tres Tabernae by Pope John Paul II.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on the following September 8 from Cardinal Terence Cooke, with Archbishop John Joseph Maguire and Bishop Harold Robert Perry, S.V.D., serving as co-consecrators, at St. Patrick's Cathedral.[2]

Upon the resignation of Bishop Francis James Harrison, O'Keefe was named the eighth Bishop of Syracuse on June 16, 1987.[2] He was installed at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on the following August 3.[2] After reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, he resigned as bishop on April 4, 1995.[2]

O'Keefe died from heart failure at St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center, Syracuse, New York, aged 78.[3][4]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "Most Rev. Joseph T. O'Keefe". Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse. Archived from the original on 2009-06-09.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Bishop Joseph Thomas O'Keefe". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.[self-published source]
  3. ^ "PRIESTS, PAUPERS LOSE A FRIEND AND BISHOP RETIRED BISHOP JOSEPH T. O'KEEFE DIES AT 78". The Post-Standard. 1997-09-03.
  4. ^ Pace, Eric (September 5, 1997). "Joseph T. O'Keefe, 78, Bishop of Syracuse" – via NYTimes.com.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Syracuse
1987–1995
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Auxiliary Bishop of New York
1982–1987
Succeeded by