Thomas-Louis Connolly
Thomas-Louis Connolly (1814 – 1876) was a Canadian prelate of the Catholic Church. Ordained a Capuchin priest, Connolly was, in turn, vicar general of the diocese of Halifax, Bishop of Saint John (1852–1859), and Archbishop of Halifax (1859–1876). Life Connolly was born in Cork, County Cork, Ireland. His father died when he was young, and he and his younger sister were raised by their mother. At school, he was a quick student and by age 16 had mastered Greek, Latin and French. He became a novice in the Order of Capuchins. At age 18 he went to Rome to complete his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained as a priest in 1838 in Lyons, France. He returned to Ireland, where he served as a prison chaplain in Dublin. When fellow Capuchin, Father William Walsh, was appointed bishop of Halifax in 1842, Father Connolly accompanied him to Nova Scotia as his secretary. In 1845 he became Vicar-General and administrator of the diocese. Bishop of Saint John Between 1845 and 1847, approximately 30,000 Irish arrived in Saint John, more than doubling the population of the city. During this period, Saint John was second only to Grosse Isle, Quebec as the busiest