Francis Gilfillan
The Most Reverend Francis Gilfillan | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of St. Joseph | |
| See | Diocese of St. Joseph |
| In office | March 17, 1923 January 13, 1933 |
| Predecessor | Maurice Francis Burke |
| Successor | Charles Hubert Le Blond |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | June 24, 1895 by John Joseph Kain |
| Consecration | November 8, 1922 by John J. Glennon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 16, 1872 Aughavas, County Leitrim, Ireland |
| Died | January 13, 1933 (aged 60) St. Joseph, Missouri, US |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Education | theology at St. Patrick's College Catholic University of America |
Francis Gilfillan DD (February 16, 1872 – January 13, 1933) was an Irish-born prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of St. Joseph in Missouri from 1923 until his death in 1933.
Biography
[edit]Early life
[edit]Francis Gilfillan was born on February 16, 1872, in Aughavas, County Leitrim in Ireland.[1] He received his classical education at St. Mary's Seminary in Moyne, County Longford, from 1886 to 1889.[2] From 1889 to 1894, he studied philosophy and theology at St. Patrick's College in Carlow, Ireland.[2] Gilfillan immigrated to the United States to enter the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.,[2] where he received a Doctor of Divinity degree.
Priesthood
[edit]Gilfillan was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of St. Louis by Archbishop John J. Kain on June 24, 1895.[3][1] After his ordination, Gilfillan served as a curate at the Cathedral of St. Louis Parish. In 1907, he was appointed pastor of the parish.[2] He also served as a board member of Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis and of the Theological Conferences' Committee of the Board of Synodal Examiners.[2]
Coadjutor Bishop and Bishop of St. Joseph
[edit]On July 8, 1922, Gilfillan was appointed coadjutor bishop of Diocese of St. Joseph and titular bishop of Pegae by Pope Pius XI.[3][4] He received his episcopal consecration on November 8, 1922, from Archbishop John J. Glennon, with Bishops Christopher E. Byrne and Thomas F. Lillis serving as co-consecrators.[3][1] Upon the death of Bishop Maurice F. Burke on March 17, 1923, Gilfillan automatically succeeded him as the third bishop of St. Joseph.[3]
As bishop, Gilfillan chose to live in a residence for priests rather than reside in the episcopal residence. He opened an orphanage in St. Joseph and built the Christian Brothers High School in that city.[5]
Death and legacy
[edit]Francis Gilfillan died at his residence in St. Joseph, Missouri, on January 13, 1933, at age 60.[6][7]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Diocese of Saint Joseph". GCatholic. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
- ^ a b c d e Marquis, Albert Nelson (1912). The Book of St. Louisans: A Biographical Dictionary of Leading Living Men of the City of St. Louis and Vicinity (II ed.). Chicago: A.N. Marquis & Company.
- ^ a b c d "Bishop Francis Gilfillan". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.[self-published source]
- ^ "Pope Appoints Two Bishops". The New York Times. 1922-07-09. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
- ^ "Parish History". Cathedral St. Joseph. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
- ^ Breifny Antiquarian Society and Historical Journal, cavanlibrary.ie; accessed July 12, 2020.
- ^ "BISHOP FRANCIS GILFILLAN. I". The New York Times. 1933-01-14. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
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| Education |
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| Clergy | ||
- 1872 births
- 1933 deaths
- 19th-century American Roman Catholic priests
- 20th-century American Roman Catholic bishops
- Irish emigrants to the United States
- Catholic University of America alumni
- Christian clergy from County Leitrim
- American Roman Catholic clergy of Irish descent
- Roman Catholic bishops of Saint Joseph
- 20th-century Roman Catholic bishops in the United States
- Alumni of Carlow College