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James Thomas O'Dowd

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Most Reverend

James T. O'Dowd
Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco
ChurchCatholic Church
SeeTitular See of Cea
AppointedMay 22, 1948
In officeJune 29, 1948 - February 4, 1950
Orders
OrdinationJune 4, 1932
ConsecrationJune 29, 1948
by John Joseph Mitty
Personal details
BornAugust 4, 1907
DiedFebruary 4, 1950(1950-02-04) (aged 42)
Fairfield, California

James Thomas O'Dowd (August 4, 1907 – February 4, 1950) was a bishop of the Catholic Church in the United States. He served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of San Francisco from 1948 to 1950.

Biography

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Born in San Francisco, California, James O'Dowd was ordained a priest on June 4, 1932.[1] On May 22, 1948 Pope Pius XII appointed him as the Titular Bishop of Cea and Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco. He was consecrated a bishop by Archbishop John Joseph Mitty on June 29, 1948. The principal co-consecrators were Bishop Thomas Arthur Connolly of Seattle and Auxiliary Bishop Hugh Aloysius Donohoe of San Francisco.[2] On February 3, 1950, Bishop O'Dowd was a passenger in an automobile driven by the Rev. Henry Lande. The car stopped on train tracks and was struck by an oncoming freight train and dragged 300 feet (91 m).[3] Lande died at the scene and O'Dowd was taken to the Fairfield-Suisun Air Force Base hospital where he died the following day at the age of 42. His legacy includes his contribution to the Bay Area's Catholic high schools.

Legacy

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Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland, California, whose establishment Bishop O'Dowd was in charge of planning for at the time of his sudden death, is named in his memory.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Bishops who are not Ordinaries of Sees". Giga-Catholic. Archived from the original on 2014-01-22. Retrieved 2014-02-11.
  2. ^ "Bishop James Thomas O'Dowd". Catholic-Hierarchy. Retrieved 2014-02-11.
  3. ^ "Ex-local priest among those killed". From the Reporter. Archived from the original on 2017-12-23. Retrieved 2014-02-11.
  4. ^ "History". Bishop O'Dowd High School. Retrieved 2014-02-11.