Michael J. O'Doherty

Michael James O'Doherty (30 July 1874 – 14 October 1949) was an Irish prelate and was the 27th Archbishop of Manila in the Philippines. O'Doherty was Archbishop of Manila for 33 years from 1916 until his death in 1949, making him the longest to hold the post, serving through the difficult years of the Japanese occupation and the Second World War.

Early life Michael James O'Doherty was born in Charlestown, County Mayo, Ireland, on 30 July 1874, to Michael J. and Julie E. O'Doherty née O'Kelly.

Education He received his early education at St. Nathy's College, in Ballaghaderreen in County Roscommon, before going to Maynooth, Leinster. The brilliant scholar graduated in philosophy and theology from St. Patrick's College, Maynooth.

In 1897, he became the professor of classics at his alma mater St. Nathy's College. His brother Rev. Denis J. O'Doherty would later succeed him as rector of the college. O'Doherty was elevated as archbishop on 14 December 1916.

As the leader of the Catholic Church in the Philippines, he established the Catholic Education Association of the Philippines (CEAP), and introduced the Legion of Mary to the country. He was appointed the head of preparations for the 1937 International Eucharistic Congress, held in Manila.

Death Archbishop O'Doherty died on 14 October 1949, and was buried in the crypt beneath Manila Cathedral, together with past archbishops. He was the last non-Filipino and the only Irish-born person (Archbishop Harty having been born in the U.S. to two Irish parents) to be ordinary of the archdiocese, ending a long line of Spanish and American prelates.

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Publications Articles on Spanish Catholicism and Society, Irish Ecclesiastical Record (1911).