John McGill (bishop)
The Most Reverend John McGill | |
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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA | |
Died | January 14, 1872 Richmond, Virginia, USA | (aged 62)
Education | St. Joseph's College |
Signature |
John McGill (November 4, 1809 – January 14, 1872) was an American
Biography
Early life
The oldest of ten children, John McGill was born on November 4, 1809, in
After getting his law license, McGill moved to New Orleans to practice law. Six months later, he returned to Kentucky to work with newly elected U.S. Representative Thomas Chilton.[1] Despite his great financial success as a lawyer, McGill decided to resume his preparation for the priesthood by entering St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland.[1]
Priesthood
McGill was
In 1839, McGill was appointed editor of the Catholic Advocate, which he used to attack
Bishop of Richmond
On July 23, 1850,
When McGill arrived in Richmond in December 1850, the diocese had 7,000 Catholics, eight priests, and 10 churches.[1] He went to Rome in 1854 to be present at the definition of the Immaculate Conception, and convened the first diocesan synod in 1855. During his tenure, Virginia was devastated by yellow fever and cholera epidemics.
During the American Civil War, Catholics in the South were unable to purchase Catholic books published in the North. To fill the gap, McGill wrote, "The True Church Indicated to the Inquirer" and "Our Faith, the Victory", republished as "The Creed of Catholics".[1] He also visited Union Army prisoners of war in the Libby Prison in Richmond, doing what he could to aid them. In 1867, McGill brought the Sisters of Charity from Emmitburgh, Maryland, to set up a school in the diocese.[1] According to his contemporaries, McGill was a very kind person, good with children and supportive of his priests. An accomplished speaker, McGill addressed congregations in Cincinnati, Charleston, Louisville, and Baltimore, as well as in Paris and Rome.[1]
McGill attended the First Vatican Council in Rome from 1869 to 1870, where he supported papal infallibility.[1] While in Rome, he suddenly lost vision in one eye and started experiencing other symptoms. By the time he returned to Richmond, his health had worsened.[1]
John McGill died of stomach cancer on January 14, 1872, at Richmond, aged 62.[3][1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Clarke, Richard Henry (1888). Lives of the Deceased Bishops of the Catholic Church in the United States. Vol. III.
- ^ Clarke, Richard Henry (1888). Lives of the Deceased Bishops of the Catholic Church in the United States. R. H. Clarke.
- ^ a b c d "Bishop John McGill". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.