Joseph Thomas O'Keefe

Joseph Thomas O'Keefe
Bishop of Syracuse
In office 1987-1995
Orders
Ordination April 17, 1948
Consecration September 8, 1983
by Cardinal Terence Cooke
Personal details
Born (1919-03-12)March 12, 1919
New York City
Died September 2, 1997(1997-09-02) (aged 78)
St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center
Nationality American
Denomination Roman Catholic
Parents Michael 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

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, aged 78.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Most Rev. Joseph T. O'Keefe". Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Bishop Joseph Thomas O'Keefe". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
  3. "PRIESTS, PAUPERS LOSE A FRIEND AND BISHOP RETIRED BISHOP JOSEPH T. O'KEEFE DIES AT 78". The Post-Standard. 1997-09-03.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Francis James Harrison
Bishop of Syracuse
19871995
Succeeded by
James Michael Moynihan
Preceded by
Auxiliary Bishop of New York
19821987
Succeeded by
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