THOMAS JAMES CONATY
CONATY, THOMAS JAMES, Roman Catholic Bishop, was born in Kilnaleck, County Covan, Ireland, August 1, 1847. His father, Patrick Conaty, was a mechanic noted for his kindness, generosity and affectionate regard for his wife and children, for whom he found a home in America in 1850 in Taunton, Massachusetts. His grandfather, Patrick Conaty, had brought his family, including his wife and their only child Patrick, to Taunton, Massachusetts, in 1831; and the three returned to Ireland, in 1839; where Patrick's son, Thomas James Conaty was born. His mother, Alice (Lynch) Conaty, was a woman of deep-seated piety and strong religious character, traits which influenced both the moral and spiritual life of her children. He experienced hindrances to acquiring his early education. As was common among New England boys, he helped his family by such labor as he could find in hours outside of school work. He completed the course of grammar school studies in the Taunton public schools. When he determined to study for the priesthood he was sent by his father to Montreal college, 1863-67, and to the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, 1867-69, graduating with high standing in the class of 1869. He then took his theological course at Grand seminary, Montreal, Province of Quebec, in charge of the Sulpician Order. Ordained to the priesthood December 21, 1872, by Bishop Bourget, he was assistant pastor, St. John's church, Worcester, Massachusetts, from January 1, 1873, to January 10, 1880; rector of Sacred Heart church, Worcester, from January 10, 1880, to January 11, 1897; rector of the Catholic University of America, Washington, District of Columbia, as successor to the Right Reverend John J. Keane, from January 11, 1897, to March 27, 1903. The university is a graduate institution for both clerical and lay students, the chancellor being Cardinal Gibbons. The establishment of the university was due to the action of the Third Plenary council at Baltimore in 1884, and it was incorporated in 1885, and canonically approved by Pope Leo XIII., in 1887. Doctor Conaty was named by Pope Leo XIII. as a
