Francis McNeirny

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Francis McNeirny
Bishop Francis McNeirny.jpg
Born(1828-04-25)April 25, 1828
DiedJanuary 2, 1894(1894-01-02) (aged 65)

Francis McNeirny (April 25, 1828 – January 2, 1894) was an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Bishop of Albany from 1877 until his death in 1894.

Biography[]

Francis S. McNeirny was born in New York City, and received his early education at a private school run by a Mr. Sparrow, a Catholic teacher.[1] In September 1841, he was sent to study under the Sulpicians at the College of Montreal.[2] He graduated with distinction in 1849, and then made his theological studies at the Grand Seminary of Montreal.[3] While still a scholastic, he served as procurator of the Grand Seminary for a year and then as professor of belles-lettres at the College of Montreal for two years.[2]

After completing his studies, McNeirny returned to New York and was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop John Hughes on May 21, 1842.[4] He then worked as a curate at St. Patrick's Cathedral, and served Archbishop Hughes as his private secretary and master of ceremonies.[2] He became chancellor of the Archdiocese of New York in 1857.[1] He also served as pastor of St. Mary's Church in Rondout.[3]

On December 22, 1871, McNeirny was appointed coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Albany and titular bishop of Rhesaina by Pope Pius IX.[4] He received his episcopal consecration on April 21, 1872, from Archbishop John McCloskey, with Bishops John Loughlin and David William Bacon serving as co-consecrators, in St. Patrick's Cathedral.[4] He was charged with the administration of the diocese on January 18, 1874, and later succeeded Bishop John J. Conroy as the third Bishop of Albany on October 16, 1877.[4]

Although Albany lost territory with the erection of the Diocese of Ogdensburg in 1872, McNeirny greatly increased the number of priests, churches, and parochial schools.[2] He also secured the services of the Dominican Tertiaries, Sisters of the Good Shepherd, and Redemptorist Fathers for the diocese.[5] One of his greatest achievements was the enlargement and completion of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception by the addition of an apse and the erection of new sacristies and a tower.[5]

Bishop McNeirny died from pneumonia at his residence in Albany, aged 65.[3]

References[]

  1. ^ a b O'Donnell, John Hugh (1922). The Catholic Hierarchy of the United States, 1790-1922. Washington, D.C.
  2. ^ a b c d Shea, John Gilmary (1886). The Hierarchy of the Catholic Church in the United States. New York: Office of Catholic Publications.
  3. ^ a b c "Death of Bishop McNeirny". The New York Times. 1894-01-03.
  4. ^ a b c d "Bishop Francis McNeirny". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
  5. ^ a b "Albany". Catholic Encyclopedia.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Albany
1877—1894 		Succeeded by
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