10 Facts About Matthew Harkins

Matthew A Harkins was an American Catholic prelate who served as the second Bishop of Providence from 1887 until his death in 1921.

Matthew A Harkins was born on November 17,1845, in Boston, Massachusetts to Patrick Harkins, an Irish immigrant, and his wife, Margaret.

In 1876, Matthew Harkins received his first assignment as a pastor at St Malachi Parish in Arlington, Massachusetts Eight years later, in 1884, the diocese moved him to be pastor of St James Parish in Boston, then the largest parish in New England.

That same year, Matthew Harkins accompanied Archbishop John Williams to the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore in Baltimore, Maryland, where he advised Williams on theological questions.

On February 11,1887, Matthew Harkins was appointed the second bishop of Providence by Pope Leo XIII.

Matthew Harkins received his episcopal consecration on April 14,1887, from Archbishop Williams, with Bishops Patrick O'Reilly and Lawrence McMahon serving as co-consecrators, at the still unfinished Cathedral of SS Peter and Paul in Providence.

In 1904, Matthew Harkins requested that the Vatican split the Massachusetts sections of the Diocese of Providence into a new diocese; the Vatican took action that same year, erecting the Diocese of Fall River.

Matthew Harkins established numerous charitable organizations and parochial schools as well.

Matthew Harkins purchased property in Providence and invited the Dominican Province of St Joseph religious order to come to the diocese and operate it.

Matthew Harkins died in Providence on May 25,1921, at age 75.