Killian, Conleth, 1896-1950, Capuchin priest

Thomas Killian was born in County Longford on 26 February 1896. He joined the Capuchin Franciscans at Rochestown Friary in County Cork in August 1914. He took Conleth as his religious name upon joining the Order. After the completion of his theological studies, he was ordained to the priesthood on 29 June 1923. Shortly afterwards, he was transferred to the Irish Capuchin mission in the United States. In 1926 he was appointed Vice-Principal of St. Anthony’s College in Mendocino City in California. At the time there were forty students, four priests and three brothers in residence. In 1928 he was assigned to be an associate pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he stayed until 1934. He worked at other assignments in California and Oregon until his death in October 1950. He is buried in Ukiah, California.

Baptismal name: Thomas Killian
Religious name: Fr. Conleth Killian OFM Cap.
Date of birth: 26 Feb. 1896
Place of birth: Inchenagh, County Longford (Diocese of Ardagh)
Name of father: Luke Killian (Farmer)
Name of mother: Teresa Killian (née Chapman)
Date of reception into the Capuchin Order: 27 Aug. 1914
Date of first profession: 8 Sept. 1915
Date of final profession: 8 Sept. 1918
Date of ordination (as priest): 29 June 1923
Educational attainments: BA (1919)
Missionary activities: Travelled to the Western United States mission on 14 Oct. 1923
Date of death: 5 Oct. 1950
Place of death: Roseburg, Oregon, United States
Place of burial: Ukiah, California, United States