John Joseph O'Connor

John Joseph O'Connor (June 11, 1855 – May 20, 1927) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Newark from 1901 until his death in 1927.

Early life and education O'Connor was born in Newark, New Jersey to Thomas and Catherine (née Farrell) O'Connor, Irish immigrants. His father worked as a contractor and builder. He studied at Seton Hall University in South Orange, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1873. He was then sent by Bishop Winand Wigger to study theology at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, where he remained for four years. He then studied for one year at the American College of Louvain in Belgium. Following his return to New Jersey, he was appointed professor of philosophy and dogmatic theology at Seton Hall. He later became director of Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall. He was made Assistant at the Pontifical Throne by Pope Pius X in 1910. In 1926, fear of accidents caused O'Connor to prohibit the priests of Newark from owning or driving motor vehicles, except in rural parishes.

O'Connor died of bronchial asthma in South Orange, New Jersey, at age 71. He is buried at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.