GREAT CHURCHMAN DEAD

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 183, 24 October 1927, Page 1

GREAT CHURCHMAN DEAD

PRIMATE OF IRELAND CARDINAL O’DONNELL’S CAREER

By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright. LONDON, Saturday. The death has occurred, of Cardinal Patrick O’Donnell, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of Ireland, aged 71—A. and N.Z. His Eminence Cardinal Patrick O’Donnell had been Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of Ireland since 1924. He was appointed a cardinal in the following year, this elevation being hailed with pride by the clergy and people of Ireland. Probably the bestknown member of the Irish hierarchy, he was born at Kilraine, near Glenties, County Donegal, on November 28, 1855. He made his classical studies at the

Diocesan Seminary, Letterkenny, and afterwards at the Catholic University in Dublin. He was a fellow-student of the Bishop of Auckland, Dr. Cleary, at St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he read a brilliant course. At the age of 25 years the future cardinal was appointed professor of theology, and four years later became prefect of the Dunboyne Establishment in succession to the late Dr. Healy, subsequently Archbishop of Tuam. This great honour, achieved at the age of 29 years, was eclipsed only four years later when he became the youngest bishop in Ireland on his appointment to the see of Raphoe. For 36 years progress of every kind marked his rule of his native diocese. In 1923 he was transferred to the primatial see of Armagh as titular Archbishop of Attalia and coadjutor to the late Primate Cardinal Logue, who died in November. 1924.