The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-08-03
BISHOP PHELAN,

Tho Tenth AnnlVOrsarI OF uis ConSsoTA'
tion Celebrated Mt PlttSburgh-sksteh OF
His Life.
PlTTsBuRau, August IA service Of
great interest to the Roman Catholic
population OF this city took place ut
$3.50 q. IN. in St, Paul's cathedral, II was
the tenth anniversary Of tho consecTa'
ton of tho Rt Rev. Richard PhelRn as
bishop, and marked an era OF unity,
harmony and prosperity throughout
the dlSIrict over which the bishop haa
had control during this period
In conformity with tho wishes oil tho
bishop there was no public domonatra'
ton Of show OF pomp on the festival
occasion. II was celebrated by solemn
pontiacal high mass at $50 O'clock The
officers Of the mass wore Very Rev.
Francis l.. Tobin, v, g., rector OF st,
Mary's, Forty.slxth street, assistant
priest 10 the pontihcatOri Very Row.
Father Il. A. Bush, V, e., rector OF 81.
Peters, Allegheny, and Rev. .. MeDer'
mott, rector OF st. Peters, Of Mckeea-
port, deacons OF honor to tho bishop,
REV Father Peter kaufman, rector OF
St, Jossph's, Allegheny, deacon Of mass;
Rev. Father John Faagnan, Of tho
cathedral, sub.deaconi Rev. r. j, Ma
loney, cathedral, master OF ceremonies.
The sermon was preached by Very How
Francis l. lobin, V. q,
1t is over torty-llvs years since the
present bishop OF Pittsburgh came to
this country and commenced his studies
in this city. Richard Phelan was born
in the townland OF TraIee, near Bally'
ragget, county Kilkenny, Ireland, Jan
nary /, 1928. His parents occupied
respectable position aud were IN indie
pendent circumstances, his father being
an extensive farmer, and his ancestors,
for several generations back, owning
the family homestead. IhH father,
Michael PheIan, and tho mother Mary
Keeghan, both cherished the ambition
Of giving their children Ru .educMion OF
tho mind and heart
Richard Phean was the oldest Of nine
children, Of whom tour came to America,
Ono entered tho ranks Of tho clergy in
Ireland, and isat presen. Very Rev. Pat
rick Canon Phelan, p. T., in the diocese
nl Oasory. Two OF tho daughters arc
nuns, one In the Order OF 81, Bridget,
near her native placs, and the other q
sister OF Mercy in Pittsburgh. Richard
received his elementary education from
private tutors in his fathers house or
in the schools Of the parish. Alter
spending several years in this way he
was admitted to St. Niornan's College,
Kilkenny, to pursuo thehigher branches
OF study. His thoughts were early
turned toward tho rising missions OF
America, and the FREQ spirit OF AS still
further stirred his young blood, so that
when the RI. Rev. n. O'Connor, fret
bishop OF Pittsburgh, applied to st.
Kierans College. Kilkenny, for stu
dents, Richard Phean cast his lot with
the diocese OF Pittsburgh. turning aside
from the famous ecclesIastical school OF
Maynonth. which opened Us doors to
him, to face the hardshIps Of missionary
life in America In December, 1919, ho
lett his home for America, aud in Jann'
airy, 1850, resumed his studies In tho
old seminary Of 81. MchaeHs, situated
nenr tho place where ST MichaePs
church now stands, in South Pittsburgh.
In September, 1851 he went to 81.
Mary's SEMINARY, Baltimore, where lie
became intimately acquainted with men
who have since attained prominent
place among the Catholic clergy OF the
United Slater. While in st. Mary's
Seminary he received minor orders aud
was ordained dencon and sub'deacon
by Archbishop Kenrick. When the
diocese OF Erie was formed, April 20,
1853, Bishop O'Connor was translated
from Pittsburgh to that sec and Richard
Phelau was chosen, while yet a deacon,
for the new diocese. lie lett baltimore
early in 1854, and hRHlened TO Erie, and
his ordination not taking place as early
as had been expected, no snent some
weeks, in the spring OF 1854, in the
seminary at Cleveland, y. Meanwhile
Bishop O'Connor was recalled to Pitts'
burgh February 90, 1851, and IN the
chapel OF tho old episcopal residence IN
this city, on May 4 Of the same year,
Richard Phelan was raised TO tho holy
priesthood.
In 1868 the very Rev. Tobias Mullen
was appointed bishop OF Erie, aud on
July q, 1868, Father PheIan was named
to succeed him as paitor Of st. Peters
church Allegheny, The successor OF
Bishop O'Connor. the H. Rev. NJ.
Dominsc, and also his successor, tho
RI. Rev. John Tuirg selected hun to
administer the atInlrs OF the diocese
during their absence Of Europe.
After the return Of Bishop Tuig!
from Romo, in 1888. Father Phelnn held
the position OF vicar general until his
conIscration. August ., 1885. as titular
bishop OF Cybara, Ia Phryga, Asia
Minor, and coadjutaIor to RI. Rev. John
TuIgg, bishop Of Allegheny. st. Peters,
Allegheny, was destroyed by fire No.
vember IS, 1886, when Bishop Phelan
was about to remove to St, Panls. The
work Of restoration was prompt, how.
ever, aud April -, 1888, the new ST.
Potor's was dedicated bishop Tuigg died
December Z, 1889. and Bishop PhOIan
becAmo bishop Of the Pittsburgh do
cAap