Michael Verdon: Difference between revisions
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==Career== |
==Career== |
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In 1861, Verdon was appointed a professor in the ecclesiastical seminary of Dublin, the Holy Cross College, [[Clonliffe]], of which nine years later, he became President. He enlarged the buildings there, constructed a "magnificent church" and considerably improved the quality of the teaching to considerably raise the prestige of the college.<ref name="ODT"/> In 1879 he was appointed a canon of the Cathedral Chapter, Dublin, by [[Edward MacCabe|Cardinal MacCabe]], Archbishop of Dublin. Verdon then joined the staff of the Irish College in Rome where as vice-rector<ref>ER Simmons, ''A Brief History of the Catholic Church in New Zealand'', Catholic Publications Centre, Auckland, 1978, p. 89</ref> he also made improvements and was raised to the dignity of a [[domestic prelate]]. During the the struggle for [[Home Rule]] in Ireland, Verdon played an effective part in defending Ireland's cause at the Vatican. In 1888 he was recruited by Cardinal Moran to go to [[Sydney]] to take charge of the newly-erected [[St Patrick's College, Manly]]. Under his rule the number of students rose from 1 to 65. At the Provincial Council, held in Sydney, in 1895, he was elected by the Bishops of Australia to represent them, and act as their agent in Rome; and, in February, 1896 when he had reached [[Melbourne]] on his way there, Verdon received news of his appointment to the see of Dunedin.<ref name="ODT"/> |
In 1861, Verdon was appointed a professor in the ecclesiastical seminary of Dublin, the Holy Cross College, [[Clonliffe]], of which nine years later, he became President. He enlarged the buildings there, constructed a "magnificent church" and considerably improved the quality of the teaching to considerably raise the prestige of the college.<ref name="ODT"/> In 1879 he was appointed a canon of the Cathedral Chapter, Dublin, by [[Edward MacCabe|Cardinal MacCabe]], Archbishop of Dublin. Verdon then joined the staff of the Irish College in Rome where as vice-rector<ref name="Simmonds">ER Simmons, ''A Brief History of the Catholic Church in New Zealand'', Catholic Publications Centre, Auckland, 1978, p. 89</ref> he also made improvements and was raised to the dignity of a [[domestic prelate]]. During the the struggle for [[Home Rule]] in Ireland, Verdon played an effective part in defending Ireland's cause at the Vatican. In 1888 he was recruited by Cardinal Moran to go to [[Sydney]] to take charge of the newly-erected [[St Patrick's College, Manly]]. Under his rule the number of students rose from 1 to 65. At the Provincial Council, held in Sydney, in 1895, he was elected by the Bishops of Australia to represent them, and act as their agent in Rome; and, in February, 1896 when he had reached [[Melbourne]] on his way there, Verdon received news of his appointment to the see of Dunedin.<ref name="ODT"/> |
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==Episcopate== |
==Episcopate== |
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Verdon was consecrated bishop in St. Joseph's Cathedral, Dunedin, on Sunday, the 3rd of May, 1896, by [[Cardinal Moran]], assisted by [[Francis Redwood]], the Archbishop of Wellington and by the Archbishop of Melbourne, and the Bishops of Maitland and Christchurch.<ref name="ODT"/> One of his firest concerns was the establishment of a national seminary in Dunedin and, with the support of the other New Zealand bishops [[Holy Cross College, Mosgiel]] was opened on 3 May 1900, exactly four years after Verdon's consecration. It was a significant step forward for the Church in New Zealand n adequate supply of clergy trained in New Zealand and also creating "a very real bond between the secular priests of the country. On 12 December 1909 |
Verdon was consecrated bishop in St. Joseph's Cathedral, Dunedin, on Sunday, the 3rd of May, 1896, by [[Cardinal Moran]], assisted by [[Francis Redwood]], the Archbishop of Wellington and by the Archbishop of Melbourne, and the Bishops of Maitland and Christchurch.<ref name="ODT"/> One of his firest concerns was the establishment of a national seminary in Dunedin and, with the support of the other New Zealand bishops [[Holy Cross College, Mosgiel]] was opened on 3 May 1900, exactly four years after Verdon's consecration. It was a significant step forward for the Church in New Zealand n adequate supply of clergy trained in New Zealand and also creating "a very real bond between the secular priests of the country.<ref name="Simmonds"/> On 12 December 1909 Verdon ordained the first six priests from the seminary. In 1911 he celebrated his golden jubilee of the priesthood.<ref name="ODT"/> During the 22 years of his tenure, Verdon generally went about his work quietly. He took no part in public affairs but confined himself to church matters. He introduced the [[Sisters of Mercy]]in South Dunedin where they established the St Vincent de Paul Orphanage and [[Kavanagh College|St Philomena's College]] and many other primary schools in the Dunedin diocese. Verdon also invited the [[Little Sisters of the Poor]] to Dunedin to care for the aged poor.<ref name="ODT"/> |
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During the 22 years of his tenure, Verdon went about his work quietly. He took no part in public affairs. He founded in South Dunedin the St Vincent de Paul Orphanage which he put under the care of the [[Sisters of Mercy]]. He introduced the [[Little Sisters of the Poor]] to care for the aged. |
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==Death== |
==Death== |
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Revision as of 20:34, 21 December 2010
| Personal details | |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 December 1838 Liverpool  United Kingdom |
| Died | 22 November 1918 Wellington  New Zealand |
Michael Verdon (1838–1918) was the second Roman Catholic Bishop of Dunedin (1896-1918).
Early life
Verdon was born in Liverpool, England on 19 December 1838[1] His father came from the County of Louth, Ireland and his mother came from Kildare. He was a nephew of Cardinal Cullen, Archbishop of Dublin, and a first cousin of Cardinal Moran, Archbishop of Sydney.[1] Verdon received his early education in St Vincent's College, Castleknock, Dublin, conducted by the Vincentian Fathers. In 1855 he proceeded to Rome, where he continued his studies in the Irish College. He was ordained priest on 28 December, 1861.[1]
Career
In 1861, Verdon was appointed a professor in the ecclesiastical seminary of Dublin, the Holy Cross College, Clonliffe, of which nine years later, he became President. He enlarged the buildings there, constructed a "magnificent church" and considerably improved the quality of the teaching to considerably raise the prestige of the college.[1] In 1879 he was appointed a canon of the Cathedral Chapter, Dublin, by Cardinal MacCabe, Archbishop of Dublin. Verdon then joined the staff of the Irish College in Rome where as vice-rector[2] he also made improvements and was raised to the dignity of a domestic prelate. During the the struggle for Home Rule in Ireland, Verdon played an effective part in defending Ireland's cause at the Vatican. In 1888 he was recruited by Cardinal Moran to go to Sydney to take charge of the newly-erected St Patrick's College, Manly. Under his rule the number of students rose from 1 to 65. At the Provincial Council, held in Sydney, in 1895, he was elected by the Bishops of Australia to represent them, and act as their agent in Rome; and, in February, 1896 when he had reached Melbourne on his way there, Verdon received news of his appointment to the see of Dunedin.[1]
Episcopate
Verdon was consecrated bishop in St. Joseph's Cathedral, Dunedin, on Sunday, the 3rd of May, 1896, by Cardinal Moran, assisted by Francis Redwood, the Archbishop of Wellington and by the Archbishop of Melbourne, and the Bishops of Maitland and Christchurch.[1] One of his firest concerns was the establishment of a national seminary in Dunedin and, with the support of the other New Zealand bishops Holy Cross College, Mosgiel was opened on 3 May 1900, exactly four years after Verdon's consecration. It was a significant step forward for the Church in New Zealand n adequate supply of clergy trained in New Zealand and also creating "a very real bond between the secular priests of the country.[2] On 12 December 1909 Verdon ordained the first six priests from the seminary. In 1911 he celebrated his golden jubilee of the priesthood.[1] During the 22 years of his tenure, Verdon generally went about his work quietly. He took no part in public affairs but confined himself to church matters. He introduced the Sisters of Mercyin South Dunedin where they established the St Vincent de Paul Orphanage and St Philomena's College and many other primary schools in the Dunedin diocese. Verdon also invited the Little Sisters of the Poor to Dunedin to care for the aged poor.[1]
Death
In 1918 Verdon went to Rotorua for health reasons and improved greatly there However on the return journey he caught a cold which developed into Bronchitis. He died at St Gerard's Redemptorist Monastery, Wellington on 23 November 1918.[1]
Character
In an editorial The Otago Daily Times compared Verdon with his predecessor Patrick Moran. Moran was physically slight but vibrant with "mental activity, nervous energy and fiery eloquence". Verdon was a large man with a massive frame. But he shunned publicity and was not widely known outside the Catholic community. Verdon's delight was in building new churches, expanding Catholic education and in philanthropy. He had "simple tastes, a singularly winning manner, deep sympathies, and profound wisdom".[3]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Obituary, Dr Verdon, Bishop of Dunedin, Otago Daily Times, Monday, November 25, 1918, p. 8.
- ^ a b ER Simmons, A Brief History of the Catholic Church in New Zealand, Catholic Publications Centre, Auckland, 1978, p. 89
- ^ "Editorial: Bishop Verdon", Otago Daily Times, Monday November 25, 1918, p. 6.