Thomas Walsh (archbishop of Newark)

For other people with the same name, see Thomas Walsh.

Thomas Joseph Walsh (December 6, 1873 – June 6, 1952) was the first Roman Catholic Archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, holding the position from 1937 until his death in 1952.

Thomas Walsh was born in Parkers Landing, Pennsylvania, to Thomas and Helen (née Curtin) Walsh. After attending public and parochial schools, he studied at St. Bonaventure's College in Allegany, New York. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop James Edward Quigley on January 27, 1900. He then served as a curate at St. Joseph's Cathedral until the following June 25, when he became chancellor of the Diocese of Buffalo and private secretary to Bishop Quigley.

In 1907 Bishop Charles H. Colton sent him to further his studies in Rome at the Pontifical Athenaeum S. Apollinare, from where he earned a doctorate in canon law (June 19, 1907) and later a doctorate in theology (June 19, 1908). Upon his return to Buffalo, he resumed his duties as diocesan chancellor and secretary to the bishop. He was named rector of St. Joseph's Cathedral in 1915.

On May 10, 1918, Walsh was appointed Bishop of Trenton, New Jersey, by Pope Benedict XV. He received his episcopal consecration on the following July 25 from Archbishop Giovanni Bonzano, with Bishops Dennis Joseph Dougherty and John Joseph O'Connor serving as co-consecrators. Following the death of Bishop O'Connor in May 1927, Walsh was named Bishop of Newark on March 2, 1928. He was installed at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on the following May 1.

He raised $2 million dollars in 25 days to build Immaculate Conception Seminary in 1936, and encouraged Seton Hall Preparatory School and Seton Hall College to receive state accreditation. Upon the elevation of the Diocese of Newark to the rank of archdiocese by Pope Pius XI, Walsh was appointed its first Archbishop on December 10, 1937.

He later died at age 78.

External links

• Archbishop of Newark

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