William Joseph Hafey (March 19, 1888 – May 12, 1954) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as bishop of the Diocese of Raleigh in North Carolina (1925–1937) and bishop of the Diocese of Scranton in Pennsylvania (1938–1954).

Biography

Early life

William Hafey was born on March 19, 1888, in Chicopee, Massachusetts, to James and Catherine (née Mulcahy) Hafey. He attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1909. From 1909 to 1910, he studied at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., then attended Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Priesthood

Hafey was ordained to the priesthood at Mount St. Mary's by Bishop Owen Corrigan for the Archdiocese of Baltimore on June 16, 1914. After his ordination, the archdiocese assigned Hafey served as a curate at St. Joseph's Parish in Baltimore. In 1920, he was appointed chancellor of the archdiocese.

Bishop of Raleigh

On April 6, 1925, Hafey was appointed the first bishop of Raleigh by Pope Pius XI. He received his episcopal consecration on June 24, 1925, from Archbishop Michael Curley at the Baltimore Cathedral. Bishops Thomas O'Leary and Michael Keyes were co-consecrators.

Coadjutor Bishop and Bishop of Scranton

Hafey was named coadjutor bishop of Scranton and titular bishop of Appia on October 2, 1937 by Pius IX. Haley automatically succeeded Bishop Thomas O'Reilly as the fourth bishop of Scranton on March 25, 1938. Hafey created new parishes, multiplied the number of buildings, and increased the number of priests and religious. He was also dedicated to social needs such as education, healthcare, and youth activities.

Death and legacy

William Hafey died in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on May 12, 1954, at age 66.