Read Our History
Learn how the Fall River Diocese has evolved in the 111 years since its establishment by now-Saint Pope Pius X.
Most Reverend George W. Coleman
Bishop Emeritus of Fall River
Seventh Bishop of Fall River
2003-2014
• Born February 1, 1939 in Fall River, Massachusetts
• Ordained December 16, 1964
• Appointed Bishop of Fall River April 30, 2003
• Ordained and Installed July 22, 2003
• Retired July 3, 2014
Catholic Schools in the Diocese
Offering a tradition of quality Catholic, value-oriented education.
Most Reverend Sean P. O’Malley, O.F.M., Cap.
Cardinal Archbishop of Boston
Sixth Bishop of Fall River
1992-2002
• Born June 29, 1944 in Lakewood, Ohio
• Ordained August 29, 1970
• Ordained Coadjutor Bishop of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands
August 2, 1984
• Succeeded to the See of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands
October 16, 1985
• Appointed Bishop of Fall River June 16, 1992
• Installed August 11, 1992
• Appointed Bishop of Palm Beach September 3, 2002
• Installed October 19, 2002
• Appointed Archbishop of Boston July 1, 2003
• Installed July 30, 2003
• Appointed Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria della Vittoria March 24, 2006
Most Reverend Daniel A. Cronin
Archbishop Emeritus of Hartford
Fifth Bishop of Fall River
1970-1991
• Born November 14, 1927 in Newton, Massachusetts
• Ordained December 20, 1952
• Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Boston June 10, 1968
• Ordained September 12, 1968
• Appointed Bishop of Fall River October 30, 1970
• Installed December 16, 1970
• Appointed Archbishop of Hartford December 10, 1991
• Installed January 28, 1992
• Retired October 20, 2003
Most Reverend James L. Connolly
Fourth Bishop of Fall River
1951-1970
• Born November 15, 1894 in Fall River, Massachusetts
• Ordained December 21, 1923
• Appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Fall River April 18, 1945
• Ordained May 24, 1945 in St. Paul, Minnesota
• Succeeded to the See of Fall River May 17, 1951
• Retired October 30, 1970
• Died September 12, 1986
Most Reverend James E. Cassidy
Third Bishop of Fall River
1934-1951
• Born August 1, 1869 in Woonsocket, Rhode Island
• Ordained September 8, 1898
• Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Fall River March 21, 1930
• Ordained May 27, 1930
• Appointed Apostolic Administrator October 3, 1930
• Appointed Bishop of Fall River July 28, 1934
• Installed September 2, 1934
• Died May 17, 1951
Most Reverend Daniel F. Feehan
Second Bishop of Fall River
1907-1934
• Born September 24, 1855 in Athol, Massachusetts
• Ordained December 20, 1879
• Appointed Bishop of Fall River July 2, 1907
• Ordained and Installed September 19, 1907
• Died July 19, 1934
Most Reverend William Stang
First Bishop of Fall River
1904-1907
• Born April 21, 1854 in Langenbrucken, Germany
• Ordained June 15, 1878
• Appointed Bishop of Fall River March 12, 1904
• Ordained May 1, 1904 in Providence, R.I.
• Installed May 8, 1904
• Died February 2, 1907
