Francis Gilfillan

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources:  –  ·  ·  · scholar · JSTOR (December 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Francis Gilfillan DD (February 16, 1872 – January 13, 1933) was an Irish-born prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of St. Joseph from 1923 until his death in 1933.

Biography[]

Francis Gilfillan was born in Aughavas, County Leitrim, and received his classical education at St. Mary's Seminary in , County Longford, from 1886–89.^[1] From 1889 to 1894, he studied philosophy and theology at St. Patrick's College in Carlow.^[1] He was then sent to continue his studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C..^[1] gaining a Doctorate of Divinity.

Gilfillan was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop John J. Kain on June 24, 1895.^[2] He served as a curate at the Cathedral of St. Louis from 1896 until 1907, when he became pastor of the cathedral.^[1] He was also a member of the Board of Directors of Kenrick Seminary and of the Theological Conferences' Committee of the Board of Synodal Examiners.^[1]

On July 8, 1922, Gilfillan was appointed coadjutor bishop of Diocese of St. Joseph and titular bishop of Pegae by Pope Pius XI.^[2] He received his episcopal consecration on the following November 8 from Archbishop John J. Glennon, with Bishops Christopher E. Byrne and Thomas F. Lillis serving as co-consecrators.^[2] Upon the death of Bishop Maurice F. Burke, Gilfillan succeeded him as the third Bishop of St. Joseph on March 17, 1923.^[2] He remained in this office until his death nearly ten years later, at age 60. Two of his sisters were nuns in the Convent of Mercy, Manorhamilton, County Leitrim.^[3]

See also[]

References[]