William Hafey

Hafey was born in Chicopee, Massachusetts to James and Catherine (née Mulcahy) Hafey.[1] He attended Holy Cross College in Worcester, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in 1909.[1] From 1909 to 1910, he studied at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.,[1] then attended Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.[1]

Hafey was ordained to the priesthood on June 16, 1914.[2] He served as a curate at St. Joseph's Church in Baltimore until 1920, when he became chancellor of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.[1]

On April 6, 1925, Hafey was appointed the first Bishop of Raleigh, North Carolina by Pope Pius XI.[2] He received his episcopal consecration the following June 24 from Archbishop Michael Joseph Curley at the Baltimore Cathedral. Bishops Thomas Michael O'Leary and Michael Joseph Keyes, S.M. were co-consecrators.[2]

Hafey was named Coadjutor Bishop of Scranton, Pennsylvania and Titular Bishop of Appia on October 2, 1937.[2] He later succeeded the late Thomas Charles O'Reilly as the fourth Bishop of Scranton on March 25, 1938.[2] He created new parishes, multiplied the number of buildings, and increased the number of priests and religious.[3] He was also dedicated to social needs such as education, healthcare, and youth activities.[3]

Hafey died at age 66. A former Hazleton high school was named Bishop Hafey High School in his memory.

In 1958, the newly established Knights of Columbus Bishop Hafey Council 4507, of High Point, North Carolina was named in memory of Hafey. (At that time, High Point was part of the Diocese of Raleigh. Since its creation in 1971, the Diocese of Charlotte has included High Point.)