Thomas McGovern (bishop)
| Right Reverend Thomas Francis McGovern D.D. | |
|---|---|
| Bishop | |
 The Bishop Thomas McGovern | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Harrisburg[1] |
| Appointed | December 6, 1887 |
| Predecessor | Jeremiah F. Shanahan |
| Successor | John W. Shanahan |
| Orders | |
| Ordination |
December 27, 1861 by James Frederick Bryan Wood[1][2] |
| Consecration |
March 11, 1888 by William O'Hara[1][2] |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
April 10, 1832 Swanlinbar, County Cavan, Ireland |
| Died | July 25, 1898 (aged 66) |
| Buried |
Mount Calvary Cemetery Harrisburg, Pennsylvania[3] |
| Nationality | American |
| Parents |
Edward McGovern Margaret (Gillece) McGovern[3] |
| Previous post | Priest of Philadelphia (1861-1887)[3] |
| Education | Saint Joseph College[2] |
| Alma mater | |
| Motto |
Forti salus in fide[2] (A strong faith in your salvation) |
Thomas McGovern (April 10, 1832—July 25, 1898) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as the second bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (1888-1898).
Biography
McGovern was born in Swanlinbar, County Cavan, and came to the United States with his parents in 1833, settling in Albany Township, Pennsylvania.[4] In 1855 he entered Mount St. Mary's College in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.[4] He completed his theological studies at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, and was ordained a priest by Bishop James Wood on December 27, 1861.[1]
After serving at Pottstown and Douglassville, he was named a curate at St. Michael's Church and later St. Philip's Church in Philadelphia.[4] He was pastor of Bellefonte from 1864 until 1870, when he was transferred to St. Patrick's Church in York.[4] In 1873, he was appointed to Danville. From 1881 to 1882, he went to Europe, Africa and Asia to regain his health.[4]
On December 6, 1887, McGovern was appointed Bishop of Harrisburg by Pope Leo XIII.[1] He received his episcopal consecration on March 11, 1888 from Bishop William O'Hara, with Bishops Richard Gilmour and John Ambrose Watterson serving as co-consecrators.[1] During his tenure, he erected twelve parishes, mostly designated for the various ethnic groups.[2] He died at age 66.[2][3]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Bishop Thomas McGovern †". Catholic-Hierarchy. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Right Reverend Thomas McGovern – Biography". Diocese of Harrisburg. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 "Rev Thomas Francis McGovern". Find-a-Grave. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 William, Harry I.; Egle, Henry; Dudley, Adolphus S.; Huber, I.; Schively, Rebecca H. (1896). Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers (Thomas McGOVERN, Dauphin County, PA ed.). Chambersburg, Pa: J. M. Runk & Company. pp. 268–273. Archived from the original on 2006. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jeremiah F. Shanahan |
Bishop of Harrisburg 1887–1898 |
Succeeded by John W. Shanahan |
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| Education | ||
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