Henry Conwell
| The Right Reverend Henry Conwell | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Philadelphia | |
 | |
| Province | Baltimore |
| Appointed | 26 November 1819 |
| Installed | 8 May 1812 |
| Term ended | 26 November 1827 |
| Predecessor | Michael Francis Egan, OFM |
| Successor | Francis Patrick Kenrick |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | November 1776 |
| Consecration |
24 August 1820 by William Poynter |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
c. 1745 Moneymore, County Londonderry, Kingdom of Ireland |
| Died | 22 April 1842 |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
Henry Conwell (c. 1745 – 22 April 1842) was an Irish-born Catholic bishop in the United States. He served as the second Bishop of Philadelphia, taking the post at an advanced age.
Life
Conwell was born about 1745 in Moneymore, County Londonderry, Ireland, and studied at the Irish College in Paris, where his family had founded a scholarship fund.[1] He was ordained to the priesthood in November 1776.[2] He exercised the ministry in his native land for 44 years, during which time he served as parish priest of Dungannon and Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Armagh.[1]
Following the death of Bishop Michael Francis Egan of Philadelphia in 1814, the Diocese of Philadelphia was offered successively to Ambrose Maréchal, John Baptist Mary David, and Louis de Barth, the interim Administrator of the diocese, but all three clergymen declined the appointment due to the ongoing conflict with the lay trustees of St. Mary's Cathedral.[1] On 26 November 1819, the Holy See appointed Conwell as Bishop of Philadelphia.[2] At age 74, Conwell accepted the task despite his advanced age. He was consecrated in London, England, by William Poynter, Vicar Apostolic for the country, on 24 August 1820.[2]
Conwell arrived in Philadelphia on 2 December 1820.[1] The seeds of future troubles had been sown during the vacancy, when the administrator, without demanding credentials, stationed the Rev. William Hogan at St. Mary's Cathedral. Hogan had so ingratiated himself with the board of trustees that when Conwell revoked his faculties as a priest on 12 December for conduct unbecoming a priest, a schism ensued which lasted for many years.[1]
The situation was made worse when Conwell subsequently recalled a Dominican friar, William Vincent Harold, whom his predecessor had dismissed, and re-appointed him as Vicar General.[1] This decision increased the tension and mistrust of the trustees. In the hope of healing the rift, on 9 October 1826, Conwell capitulated to the trustees, yielding to them the right of determining salaries and of vetoing his appointments.[1] The Holy See, highly displeased at this surrender of episcopal rights, summoned Conwell to Rome and forbade him to return to his diocese.[1]
Conwell did return to Philadelphia, however, and received permission to resume performing liturgical functions, without any say in the administration of the diocese.[1] He received Francis Patrick Kenrick as his coadjutor bishop in 1830, and spent his remaining years in seclusion and prayer.[1]
Conwell died in 1842 about the age of 90. His remains were buried at his cathedral. When it was replaced in 1864 by the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, his remains were transferred there.
Legacy
Conwell-Egan Catholic High School in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania, is named in honour of both him and his predecessor.
References
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Michael Francis Egan, OFM |
Bishop of Philadelphia 1819–1842 |
Succeeded by Francis Patrick Kenrick |
