John Joseph Mitty

John Joseph Mitty (January 20, 1884 – October 15, 1961) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the third bishop of Salt Lake in Utah (1926–1932) and the fourth archbishop of San Francisco in California (1935–1961).

Early life and education John Mitty was born on January 20, 1884, in the Greenwich Village section of New York City, the son of John and Mary (née Murphy) Mitty. He received his early education at the parochial school of St. Joseph's Parish in New York. He was orphaned at age fourteen.

Mitty attended Manhattan College in New York City, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1901. He then began his studies for the priesthood at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, New York. He continued his studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he earned a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree in 1907. During his time as archbishop, Mitty resided at the Archbishop's Mansion in San Francisco.

Mitty worked to rebuild or establish Catholic institutions in the archdiocese. His first act as archbishop was to direct his installation gift from the clergy to restoring Saint Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park, California. In the 26 years of his episcopate, 84 parishes and missions were founded in the archdiocese, and over 500 building projects were completed.

Mitty caused controversy when he called for a boycott of the San Francisco News for reporting that a priest had pleaded guilty for drunk driving, calling the coverage anti-Catholic. He joined with several other American prelates and criticizing the 1945 Moscow Declarations, doubting that the Soviet Union would keep its promises.

In 1951, Mitty approved the establishment of the Western Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in San Francisco for the Western United States. He presided at the first investiture ceremony of the association in 1953.

Death and legacy John Mitty died of a heart attack at Saint Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park on October 15, 1961.