Background
He was born 19 February 1874, Place Harbour, Placentia Bay, Newfoundland.
He was born 19 February 1874, Place Harbour, Placentia Bay, Newfoundland.
Roche was educated at Saint Patrick"s Hall, Saint Bonaventure"s College in Saint John"s and All Hallows College, Dublin, Ireland, where he was ordained on June 24, 1897.
He served as Archbishop of Saint John"s from 1915 until 1950, at the time of his appointment and until 1949 Newfoundland was not part of Canada, so he reported directly to the Pope, he opposed the confederation of Newfoundland and Canada. French After ordination he returned to Newfoundland and ministered in Conception Bay South, in 1907 became the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Saint John"son He was appointed Archbishop by Pope Pius X. and consecrated by Monsignor Stagni, Apostolic Delegate to Newfoundland at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist 29 June 1915.
He suffered from tuberculosis, however it was treated in New York and was able to return to his pastoral duties.
Responsible for the developments of many educational institutions he was significantly responsible for the development of Saint Clare"s Mercy Hospital. He opposed the confederation of Newfoundland and Canada as did many other catholic clergy, and articulated his view prior to the 1948 referendum.
Archbishop Roche died in 1950 and is buried under the main altar of the Basilica in Saint John"son He was succeeded by Bishop Patrick J. Skinner.