 On January 19, 1912 O'Connell was appointed seventh Bishop of Richmond, Virginia
O'Connell was named as the Bishop of Richmond by Pope Pius X in January 1912, taking office that following March.He served in that office until his resignation in 1926, at which time he was named the Titular Bishop of Mariamme.O'Connell died January 1, 1927, at the age of 77.