Mons. James O’Connell secretly marries a woman in New York.

O’Connell is the nephew of Cardinal William O’Connell and his wife is aware of his status as a priest. Cardinal O’Connell is subsequently confronted about the matter by Pope Benedict XV in May 1920 and his nephew is ordered excommunicated a month later. As a result of the scandal, New England bishops call for Cardinal O’Connell to give up his office in 1922.