Thomas Charles O'Reilly

Who was Thomas Charles O'Reilly?

Thomas Charles O'Reilly was a Roman Catholic bishop.

O'Reilly was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Patrick and Delia O'Reilly. After attending Spencerian Business College, he studied at St. Ignatius College and St. Mary's Seminary in Cleveland. He then furthered his studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Francesco di Paola Cassetta on June 4, 1898. In 1899 he earned a Doctor of Sacred Theology from the Propaganda University.

Upon returning to Ohio, he served as a curate at St. John's Cathedral until 1901, when he became professor of dogmatic theology at St. Mary's Seminary. He earned a Doctor of Laws in 1909 from the University of Notre Dame. He was chancellor and vicar general of the Diocese of Cleveland before serving as pastor of the Church of St. John the Evangelist.

On December 19, 1927, O'Reilly was appointed the third Bishop of Scranton, Pennsylvania, by Pope Pius XI. He received his episcopal consecration on February 16, 1928 from Cardinal Dennis Joseph Dougherty, with Bishops Joseph Schrembs and Bernard Joseph Mahoney serving as co-consecrators.