24 Facts About Henry Conwell

Henry Conwell became a priest in 1776 and served in that capacity in Ireland for more than four decades.

When Henry Conwell removed and excommunicated William Hogan, a controversial priest at St Mary's, the parish trustees instead rejected Henry Conwell's authority, creating a minor schism.

Henry Conwell remained in Philadelphia and performed some priestly duties, but for all practical purposes no longer ran the diocese.

Henry Conwell died there in 1842 at the age of about 94.

Henry Conwell was well-educated, being fluent in Latin, French, Spanish, and Italian, but had a reputation as a preacher of only modest ability.

Henry Conwell was appointed parish priest of Dungannon in 1792 or 1793 and Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Armagh in 1794.

Shortly before Henry Conwell reached the diocese, a priest, William Hogan, approached de Barth about securing an assignment to preach in Philadelphia.

When Henry Conwell arrived, Hogan had already moved out of the priests' residence at Old St Joseph's Church to a house across the street, claiming that the original accommodations were poor; his detractors said he used the private residence to entertain women.

Later that week, Henry Conwell called a meeting of the city's priests and announced that Hogan was suspended.

The trustees took Hogan's side, while Henry Conwell condemned the trustees as "despicable ex-Catholics" and "the worst sort of Jacobins".

Since they had rebelled against the Church hierarchy, Henry Conwell declared Hogan excommunicated in a public statement on 27 May 1821.

In 1822, Henry Conwell showed his support for Harold by appointing him as Vicar General of the diocese.

In hopes of healing the schism, in October 1826, Henry Conwell partially capitulated to the trustees, yielding to them the right of determining salaries and of vetoing his appointments.

Harold, writing to Rome, claimed that Henry Conwell had had little to do with the compromise, which he blamed on Father Michael Hurley and Henry Conwell's Protestant lawyer, Josiah Randall.

Henry Conwell saw Harold's conduct as a betrayal, and removed him as Vicar General, appointing Hurley in his place.

The trustees put aside their former enmity for Harold and took his side against Henry Conwell, going so far as to petition Rome for Henry Conwell's removal as bishop.

Once there, Henry Conwell was ordered to give a report of all that had transpired.

Henry Conwell left Rome secretly in 1829, and when his absence was discovered, the Pope decreed he would be suspended from office if he returned to Philadelphia.

In Baltimore, Henry Conwell professed his obedience to Rome and swore he would gladly retire from active governance of his diocese.

Henry Conwell never gave up his titles or his claim to exercise authority in the diocese, and his relationship with Kenrick remained rocky.

Henry Conwell received permission to resume performing liturgical functions without any say in administration, and spent his remaining years in seclusion and prayer.

Henry Conwell lived on for several years, although he lost his sight, preventing him from performing most of his few remaining duties.

Henry Conwell died on 22 April 1842, at about the age of 94.

Henry Conwell's death led to one final controversy, as the old bishop's nephews and nieces sued for possession of the Bishop's Burial Ground, claiming it had been Henry Conwell's private possession.