Francis Kelley
| Francis Clement Kelley | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Oklahoma | |
 |
|
| See | Oklahoma City |
| In office | June 25, 1924—February 1, 1948 |
| Predecessor | Theophile Meerschaert |
| Successor | Eugene J. McGuinness |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | August 23, 1893 |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
October 23, 1870 Vernon River, Prince Edward Island |
| Previous post | Priest of Detroit |
|
Styles of Francis Kelly |
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|---|---|
.svg) |
|
| Reference style | The Most Reverend |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Monsignor |
| Posthumous style | none |
Francis Clement Kelley (October 23, 1870 – February 1, 1948) was the second Roman Catholic Bishop of Oklahoma City, as well as an author and diplomat. He was a Catholic priest for 54 years, and bishop for 23 years.
Francis Clement Kelley was born in Vernon River, Prince Edward Island, Canada. His early education and seminary training were in Canada and Belgium, and he was ordained a priest for the diocese of Detroit, Michigan, in 1893. In 1905, he founded the Catholic Church Extension Society of the United States and was elected its first president. The Extension Society continues to promote the mission of the Catholic Church in rural and mission areas of the United States. Kelley also founded and edited the quarterly Extension Magazine, which had more than 3 million subscribers during his administration. In addition to his editorial duties, he authored numerous books
Father Kelley was active in war and diplomacy during his day, and he served as a military chaplain during the Spanish-American War. As a diplomat, Kelley represented the bishops of Mexico during the World War I Peace Conference in Paris. He also initiated unofficial negotiations between the Vatican and the Italian government for a settlement of the Roman Question. Two years after the war, Kelley was sent to England by the Vatican to settle postwar differences over German and American missions. As president of the Extension Society, Kelley also represented the Mexican bishops during the Carranza Revolution. He established a seminary in Texas for exiled Mexican seminarians and clergy.
His sister was the poet Lucy Gertrude Clarkin.
Kelley was consecrated Bishop of Oklahoma City in 1924. During his years as Bishop, he successfully resisted the agitation of the KKK and continued his work as the "Extension Bishop." Like other missionary dioceses in the country, Oklahoma received funds from the Catholic Extension to build and to furnish churches. In 1931 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church became the new cathedral for the diocese. Under his care the infant diocese grew to maturity. Bishop Kelley died in Oklahoma City.
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