Edward Cornelius O'Leary

Edward Cornelius O'Leary (August 21, 1920 – April 2, 2002) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church.

[1] During his tenure, O'Leary was forced to address the problems of an increasing population but a decline in priestly vocations.

[4] He encouraged the greater involvement of laity and women in church administration, and developed a system of parish councils.

[4] O'Leary took frequent public stands on a number of social issues of importance to the Church, endorsing a referendum on pornography and opposing the Maine Equal Rights Amendment (which he believed would enforce taxpayer-funded abortions).

[citation needed] On September 27, 1988, Pope John Paul II accepted O'Leary's resignation as bishop of the Diocese of Portland.