Patrick Richard Heffron (June 1, 1856 – November 23, 1927) was an American prelate of the

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. He served as the second Bishop of Winona from 1910 until his death in 1927.

Early life and education

Patrick Richard Heffron was born in

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on June 1, 1856, to Patrick and Margaret (née O'Brien) Heffron. The family later moved to

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, and settled in Olmsted County,

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, in 1864. He received his early education at public schools in New York and Wisconsin, and attended high school in Mantorville. Afterwards he attended business college and law school in

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. Deciding to enter the priesthood, Heffron began his studies under the

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at St. John's College in Collegeville, graduating in 1878. He then continued his studies at the

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and received the degree of

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in 1883.

Priesthood

While in Montreal, Heffron was ordained a priest on December 22, 1884 by Bishop

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. Following his ordination, he returned to Minnesota and taught theology at

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for two years. Archbishop

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sent him to further his studies in

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, where he earned doctorates in theology and canon law from the college at Santa Maria sopra Minerva in 1889. Returning from Europe, Heffron served as rector of the Cathedral of Saint Paul from 1889 to 1896. He then returned to St. Thomas Seminary, being appointed vice rector in 1896. In 1897, he was promoted to the seminary's rector.

Bishop of Winona

On March 4, 1910, Heffron was appointed Bishop of Winona by

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. He received his episcopal consecration on the following May 19 from Archbishop Ireland, with Bishops

James McGolrick James McGolrick (May 1, 1841 – January 23, 1918) was an Irish-born American prelate of the Catholic Church. He was the first bishop of the Diocese of Duluth in Minnesota, serving from 1889 until his death. Biography Early life James McGolr ...

and James Trobec serving as co-consecrators. When Heffron became bishop in 1910, the Diocese of Winona contained a Catholic population of over 49,000 with 91 priests, 116 churches, and 29 parochial schools with 4,700 students. By the time of his death in 1927, there was a Catholic population of nearly 69,000 with 130 priests, 125 churches, and 42 parochial schools with over 8,000 students. He opened Cotter High School in 1911 and St. Mary's College in 1912. On August 27, 1915, Heffron was shot twice while celebrating private mass by Laurence M. Lesches, a diocesan priest. Lesches had been angry at Heffron for denying him his own parish due to Lesches' arrogant behavior and emotional instability. Heffron survived, but Lesches was committed to a mental hospital for the rest of his life. He was named an

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in November 1920.

Death and legacy

Heffron died from brain cancer on November 23, 1927.

References

Episcopal succession

{{DEFAULTSORT:Heffron, Patrick Richard 1860 births 1927 deaths Religious leaders from New York City Roman Catholic bishops of Winona Saint Mary's University of Minnesota University and college founders