Most Rev. William A. Hickey, D.D.

Titular Bishop of Claudiopolis
Appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Providence, cum jure successionis March 10, 1919
Succeeded to the See of Providence, May 25, 1921
Died October 4, 1933

Bishop William A. Hickey was born in Worcester, Mass., May 13, 1869, the son of William and Margaret (Troy) Hickey. He graduated from Holy Cross College prior to his studies at the Grand Seminary at St. Sulpice in Paris and then St. John Seminary in Brighton. He was ordained to the priesthood by the Most Rev. John J. Williams, Archbishop of Boston, at Holy Cross Cathedral, Boston, for the diocese of Springfield, Mass.

He served at parishes as assistant pastor and pastor throughout Massachusetts. In Gilbertville, he built a new parochial school, a splendid modern twelve room building with a large parish hall. Bishop Hickey was a remarkable orator and his services were sought in every patriotic movement. As a ‘four minute man’, when orator on Liberty Day, Bishop Hickey showed a patriotism for his country surpassed only by his zeal for the advancement of God’s kingdom. Of his work and life during his two years at Clinton, Senator Walsh, of Massachusetts, said: ‘Father Hickey has worn the black cassock of Christ. He has been a soldier camping in the homes of the sick and the poor under the white banner of the church, fighting for salvation; has battled for Christ in the trenches of humanity. Not a day has passed over his head since our boys first left Clinton that he has not prayed for his people.’

On January 16, 1919, Bishop William A. Hickey received notification from Rome that Pope Benedict had appointed him coadjutor-bishop with right of succession to Bishop Harkins, of the Diocese of Providence. His consecration as bishop took place on Thursday, April 10, 1919, in SS. Peter and Paul’s Cathedral, Providence, with Rt. Rev. Thomas D. Beaven, D. D., Bishop of Springfield, Mass presiding, assisted by Rt. Rev. Louis S. Walsh, D. D., Bishop of Portland, Me., and Rt. Rev. Daniel F. Feehan, D. D., Bishop of Fall River, Mass., assisting. On the day of his consecration, by an act of Rt. Rev. Matthew Harkins, D. D., which was later ratified by the Sacred Consistory at Rome, Bishop Hickey was made Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Providence. He succeeded to the See of Providence May 25, 1921.

Bishop Hickey died on October 4, 1933.

As the Diocese of Providence celebrated its 150th anniversary September 8, 2021 through June 26, 2022, the diocesan newspaper, Rhode Island Catholic, featured profiles of the men who served as diocesan shepherds through its history - The Third Bishop of Providence: Bishop William A. Hickey