Patrick O'Connor (bishop)

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Patrick Joseph O’Connor (1848–1932) was an Irish-born Roman Catholic bishop who led the Diocese of Armidale in New South Wales, Australia. He was born in Clonea, near Dungarvan, County Waterford, Ireland, and was educated by the Christian Brothers. He studied for the priesthood at All Hallows College in Dublin and was ordained on 15 September 1875 for Armidale.

O’Connor became Dean in 1882 and Vicar General in 1886, later receiving the title of Monsignor. On 3 May 1903 he was consecrated as Bishop of Armidale by Cardinal Moran, Archbishop of Sydney. He played a key role in supporting the construction of the new Catholic cathedral in Sydney. O’Connor Catholic College is named in his honour.

He died on 15 July 1932 and is buried in the Cathedral, in front of Our Lady’s altar. His family included a brother, David O’Connor, who also became a priest, and an uncle, Fr. Joseph Meany, who was a priest in Blackburn, England.