Thomas O'Shea (bishop)

Contents

Thomas O'Shea SM (13 March 1870 – 9 May 1954) was an American bishop who served as Archbishop of Wellington from 1935 to 1954.[1][2]

Biography

Thomas O'Shea was born in 1870 to Irish immigrant parents Edmond Shea and Johanna Sullivan in San Francisco, California.[3] He received his education in New Zealand, attending St Patrick's College, Wellington, and later became a teacher at the same institution. O'Shea was ordained as a member of the Society of Mary in 1893 and held various positions within the Wellington archdiocese.

In 1913, he became the coadjutor archbishop, and then ultimately succeeded Archbishop Francis Redwood in 1935. He played a significant role in promoting Catholic education, social justice, and cooperation with other Christian denominations on public matters. O'Shea died in 1954 at Calvary Hospital, Wellington, after struggling with senility in his later years.

Honours

In 1935, he was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal.[4]

References

  1. 1.van der Krogt, Christopher. "O'Shea, Thomas". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  2. 2.Obituary, Zealandia, 13 May 1954, pp. 8 and 9.
  3. 3."O'Shea, Thomas | Dictionary of New Zealand Biography | Te Ara". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  4. 4."Official jubilee medals". Evening Post. Vol. CXIX, no. 105. 6 May 1935. p. 4. Retrieved 10 March 2015.