Anthony J O'Connell was an Irish-born prelate of the Roman Catholic church.
15 Facts About Anthony O'Connell
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Anthony O'Connell served as the first of the Diocese of Knoxville in Tennessee from 1988 to 1998.
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Anthony O'Connell later served as the third bishop of the Diocese of Palm Beach in Florida from 1999 to 2002.
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Anthony O'Connell was born in Lisheen, County Clare, Ireland and studied at Mount St Joseph College in Cork and at Mungret College in Limerick.
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Anthony O'Connell emigrated to the US at age 20 and entered Kenrick Seminary in St Louis, Missouri.
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On March 30,1963, Anthony O'Connell was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Jefferson City, Missouri.
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Anthony O'Connell was named Spiritual Director in 1968 and was appointed Rector in 1970.
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Anthony O'Connell served as Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Jefferson City from 1969 to 1988.
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Anthony O'Connell was a member of the Diocesan Commission for Personnel and President of the Priests' Senate.
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Anthony O'Connell was serving as Rector of St Thomas Aquinas Seminary before becoming bishop.
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Anthony O'Connell was appointed by Pope John Paul II as the first bishop of the newly created Diocese of Knoxville on June 7,1988.
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On September 8,1988, Anthony O'Connell was consecrated, with Archbishop Pio Laghi served as principal consecrator and Bishop James Niedergeses and Bishop Michael McAuliffe serving as principal co-consecrators.
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On March 8,2002, Anthony O'Connell admitted that he had molested at least two students of St Thomas Aquinas Preparatory Seminary during his 25-year career there.
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That same day, Anthony O'Connell offered his resignation as bishop of Palm Beach to the Vatican.
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Anthony O'Connell died on May 4,2012, at age 73, at Mepkin Abbey.