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Patrick Mary O'Donnell

1897 – 1980

Australian Roman Catholic archbishop

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About Patrick Mary O'Donnell

Lived 1897 – 1980 (aged 83). Patrick Mary O'Donnell was a catholic priest and catholic bishop.

Patrick Mary O'Donnell (2 February 1897 – 2 November 1980) was an Irish-born Roman Catholic priest in Australia. He was Roman Catholic Archbishop of Brisbane in Queensland.

Early life Patrick O'Donnell was born on 2 February 1897 at Main Street, Fethard, Ireland, the son of Thomas and Johanna O'Donnell, who had a drapery business.

Religious service Patrick O'Donnell was ordained as the priest of Sale in Victoria, Australia, on 15 April 1922.

On 8 November 1948 O'Donnell was appointed the coadjutor archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane with the right of succession. He served as coadjutor to Archbishop James Duhig for 16 years until Duhig's death on 10 April 1965, whereupon he succeeded him as Archbishop of Brisbane.

Later life Patrick O'Donnell retired on 5 March 1973, as the Second Vatican Council had decided that bishops and archbishops should retire at 75 years of age. He installed his successor Francis Roberts Rush in a ceremony on 30 May 1973.

He lived quietly at his home Glengariff in Hendra in Brisbane until his death on 2 November 1980. He was buried in Cathedral of St Stephen, Brisbane beside Archbishop Duhig.

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Important facts

Birth century
Positions held
Catholic archbishop, Titular archbishop, Coadjutor archbishop

People in Patrick Mary O'Donnell's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Patrick Mary O'Donnell's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Patrick Mary O'Donnell?

Australian Roman Catholic archbishop

When was Patrick Mary O'Donnell born?

Patrick Mary O'Donnell was born on 2 February 1897 in Fethard.

When did Patrick Mary O'Donnell die?

Patrick Mary O'Donnell died on 2 November 1980 in Brisbane.

What was Patrick Mary O'Donnell's occupation?

Patrick Mary O'Donnell was a catholic priest and catholic bishop.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Patrick Mary O'Donnell

· Wikidata: Q18715819

· DBpedia: Patrick Mary O'Donnell

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Patrick Mary O'Donnell. https://biography.guide/patrick-mary-o-donnell/

MLA: "Patrick Mary O'Donnell." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/patrick-mary-o-donnell/.

Chicago: "Patrick Mary O'Donnell." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/patrick-mary-o-donnell/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-21 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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