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William John Kenny (January 12, 1853 – October 24, 1913) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine in Florida from 1902 until his death in 1913.
The Most Reverend William John Kenny | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of St. Augustine | |
 | |
| See | Diocese of St. Augustine |
| In office | March 25, 1902 - October 24, 1913 |
| Predecessor | John Moore |
| Successor | Michael Joseph Curley |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | January 15, 1879 by John Moore |
| Consecration | March 25, 1902 by James Gibbons |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 12, 1853 Delhi, New York, USA |
| Died | October 24, 1913 (aged 60) Baltimore, Maryland, USA |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Education | St. Bonaventure University |
Early life
Kenny was born on January 12, 1853, in Delhi, New York, to John and Ann (née McDonough) Kenny. As a youth, he worked in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in newspaper jobs. After saving enough money for his seminary education, he entered St. Bonaventure University near Olean, New York.[1]
Priesthood
On January 15, 1879, Kenny was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of St. Augustine by Bishop John Moore.[2] After a short residence in Jacksonville, Florida, he was put in charge of the mission in Palatka, Florida, remaining there for three years.[1] In June 1884, Kenny was named pastor of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Jacksonville, Florida. During his tenure as pastor, he became active in civic organizations and community service associations. Kenny led relief efforts during yellow fever outbreaks and the Jacksonville Great Fire of 1901.[3] He was named vicar general of the diocese in 1889.[1]
Bishop of St. Augustine
On March 25, 1902, Kenny was appointed the third bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine by Pope Leo XIII.[2] He was the diocese's first American-born bishop.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on May 18, 1902, from Cardinal James Gibbons, with Bishops Benjamin Keiley and Leo Michael Haid serving as co-consecrators, in the Cathedral of St. Augustine.[2]
During his tenure as bishop, Kenny increased the recruitment of Irish priests and nuns, reorganized diocesan offices, expanded missionary efforts to Florida's interior and smaller towns, and more than doubled diocesan fundraising.[3] He also established the first Catholic parish for African Americans in the state.[3]
While traveling to the American Missionary Congress in Boston, Massachusetts, in October 1913, Kenny stopped in Baltimore to visit St. Mary's Seminary.[1] After falling ill at the seminary, he was hospitalized. William Kenny died on October 24, 1913, in Baltimore at age 60.[1]Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville is named for him.
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