Louis Sebastian Walsh

Louis Sebastian Walsh (January 22, 1858 – May 12, 1924) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Portland in Maine from 1906 until his death in 1924.

Biography

Early life Louis Walsh was born on January 22, 1858, in Salem, Massachusetts, to Patrick and Honora (née Foley) Walsh. He attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, for one year before entering the Grand Seminary of Montreal in Montreal, Quebec. After attending the Seminary of Saint-Sulpice in Paris, France, Walsh furthered his studies in canon law and theology in Rome.

Following his return to Massachusetts, Walsh served as assistant pastor at St. Joseph's Parish in Boston's West End. He met vocal opposition from groups of French Canadian parishioners over the ownership of parish property, leading Walsh to place six of their leaders under interdict. Walsh's successor as bishop of Portland kept a much lower profile on Klan-related issues, however, allowing anti-Klan politicians to defend the church and Maine's Catholic population.

Death After returning from a canonical visit to Rome and France in February 1924, Walsh was left exhausted. Louis Walsh died in Portland on May 12, 1924, at age 66.