Nyorai kupfuurira kweiyi ndima - Pana November 27, 1911, O'Connell akava Bhishopi Mukuru wokutanga weBoston kuva Cardinal, uye akapiwa zita reKardinal-Priest of S. Clemente. Akasvika achinonoka kumisangano miviri yapapa yakatevedzana, muna 1914 na 1922, nemhaka yokufanira kuyambuka Atlantic Ocean mukufambisa kunononoka kwezuva racho. Akapikisa kuna Papa Pius XI, uyo akapindura nokuwedzera nguva iri pakati porufu rwaPapa nokuvamba kweconclave. O'Connell pakupedzisira akakwanisa kupinda musangano wakazotevera wa1939
, kunyange zvazvo panguva iyoyo kufamba nendege kwakanga kwava kuwanika.