Paul Leonard Hagarty

Paul Leonard Hagarty, O.S.B., O.B.E. (March 20, 1909 – September 22, 1984) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He was the first Bishop of Nassau (1960–81), having previously served as Vicar Apostolic of the Bahama Islands (1950–60).

Early life and education Hagarty was born in Greene, Iowa, one of ten children of James Herbert and Lucy Belle (née O'Connell) Hagarty. He attended Oakland School No. 8 and Sacred Heart Academy before entering Greene Catholic High School. He paid the rest of his way through college with a Saturday job at J. C. Penney, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1930.

In 1937, Hagarty was sent by his superiors to serve as a missionary to the Bahama Islands, a British colony, where he served as a curate at St. Francis Xavier Church in Nassau for five years. and social development. He attended the Second Vatican Council from 1962 to 1965. In February 1979, he hosted Pope John Paul II during his visit to Nassau. He was also named an Officer of The Order of The British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II.

Later life and death Hagarty resigned as bishop on July 17, 1981 due to poor health. He later died at St. John's Abbey at age 75, and is entombed at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Nassau.