William G. Connare

William Graham Connare (December 11, 1911 – June 12, 1995) was an American Catholic prelate who served as bishop of Greensburg in Pennsylvania from 1960 to 1987.

Biography

Early life William Connare was born on December 11, 1911, in the East End of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, one of three children of James J. and Nellie T. (O'Connor) Connare. His parents were Irish immigrants who immigrated to the United States from County Galway and County Kerry, respectively. James Connare worked as an engineer for Nabisco. William Connare was a first cousin once removed of Mother Mercedes O'Connor, who was the first sister recruited by Katherine Drexel into the order of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and the first successor to Drexel. Connare remained very close to the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament throughout his life.

In 1917, Connare enrolled at the newly opened St. Lawrence School in Pittsburgh. He graduated from Duquesne in 1932, and then attended St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, where he earned a Master's degree in 1934. He began his studies for the priesthood at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe. After his ordination, the diocese assigned Connare as a curate at St. Canice Parish in Pittsburgh. He was transferred to the Cathedral of St. Paul in Pittsburgh in 1937, where he remained for 12 years.

Retirement and legacy After Connare reached the mandatory retirement age of 75, Pope John Paul II accepted his resignation as bishop of Greensburg on January 20, 1987.