The Irish standard., 1895-06-22
ARCHBISHOP Oh ClSHEL,|
His Episcopal Jsblise VIII % cels-
bratsd Thls month with
Royal Honsrs. "
The MOST REV. THOMAS " v oRo =
The Patriotic! Irish Prelats Was Born
4 Near Mallew, in tho County
OF Cork.

The Most Rev. Thou1as w. Croke, the
well known and much beloved Archbish-
op of Cashel, whose episcopal Jubilee his
co,pntrymen are just now preparing to
celebrate with royal honors, was born
near Mallow, in the County Cork, on the
10th Of May, 1924, says writer in the
New World, of Chicago. II seems strange
to record that his mother, whose maiden
name was Plummer, was Protestant.
He began his early studies in the Endow-
ed School of Charliville, In. 1889, at the
early age of is, he entered the Irish
school in Paris. Here six years devoted
to constant study developed the talent
which distinguished his subsequent ca
reer. In 1874, being too young to secure
holy orders, he was made professor OF
rhetoric in the Episcopal College of Men
in, Belgium, where he remained until
1345, when he left for Rome, and entered
the Irish college there, which was then
under the presidency of DR.. Cullen, who
was afterwards Cardinal Archbishop Of
Dublin, and who was at a future time to
consecrate him bishop. Here his talents
which were OF a brilliant order, outdis-
tanced all his compeers, as the follow
ing article taken from the Freeman
Journal of the 25th OF September, 1S46,
will testify: -.
At the eoncursus held ON the 18th and
21st of July last at the Roman univer-
sity, 20 students were entered as compe-
titors for the gold and silver medals,
and after q scr1ltinizing examination OF
eight hours on each day, the two prizes
were carried away by a filial student Of
the diocese of Cloyne. The successful
candidate for university and ecclesiasti-
cal distinction is only in his 23d year, a
sub-deacon in holy orders, student Of
the Irish college at. Rome for about q
year, his previous course having been
pursued at the Irish College in Paris. His
ihnle-is Thomas w. Eroke, "a nephew OF
the venerable and venerated parrish priest
Of, Chnrliyille. The competitors for those
distinguished honors were selected from
the various colleges in the Eternal city.
Tt seldom falls to the lot of any one stu
dent to obtain the two medals, but on the
occasion in question it. was reserved for
an Irishman to bear away the high marks
of literary distinction which have been
conferred on the Rev. Mr.. Croke."
If anything could tend to enhance the
value of his triumphs it may be added
that they were won in classes taught by
Parrone, and the celebrated Jesuit Parr-
glia, whose fame at that time for learn
ing, and as teachers, was proverbia1. He
was ordained priest on the same day as
Cardinal Newman, and by the same Off
chatting prelate and cardinal. Truly this
must have been an exceptional ordina-
ton which consecrated two such lives to
the service Of Gods ALTAR, and Gods. peo-
pie. In the same year he dock his degree
Of Doctor of Divinity.
Z Having now attained to the highest
honors which he could achieve at his
youthful age, in 1&47 he returned to his
own country, his well beloved Ireland
Almost Immediately he was appointed
professor of rhetoric in Carlow Colleges
where he remained until 1S49. When
he returned to the Irish College, Paris
as professor of dogmatic theology He
was recalled from Paris to begin mis-
sionary work at Middleton, in the diocese
Of Cloyne, where he spent the first six
years of his life as curate, and which
years, he declared, On reyisiting it &c
years afterward, were the harpies1 years
Of his life. He remained in Middleton
until 1858, when he was appointed presi-
dent of St. Colnlan's College, Fermoy
Here he remained until 1865, beloved
alike by masters and students, when he
was again removed and appointed parish
priest Of Doneraile, and chancellor OF
Cloyne. In 1870 he was raised to the
purple, and nominated bishop Of Auck-
episcopal duties until 1874, when he re-
he succeeded the late DR.. Leahy as arch
bishop. Of Casnel. To enumerate DR..
Croke's services in the cause Of the
church, and IN the cause Of ireland, dur
ing the 20 years he has been archbishop
OF Cashel, would be to write a history OF
Ireland for that period. But every .one
who can remember knows that they have
been years of incalculahle strife, strug-
gle, uncertainty, imprisonment, anxiety,
suffering and eviction. And when as a
result Of ali this effort and human sacri-
fee, the goal Of the hopes of a freedom
loving people, to which they were look
ing with feverish longing, was almost in
sight, their cup of happiness nearly full,
it was dashed to the ground by the folly
of some Of her own sons,. sons alas, of
poor, afflicted, long suffering Ireland To
say during those exciting and eventful
years that Dr.. Croke-to use hackneyed
phrase" nailed his colors to the mast, .
is not enough, for he nailed his hearts
dearest hopes to the fortunes of his .coun-
try. To him the cry of faith and father
land was no empty or hollow sound, its
echo vibrated in his hearts innermost
core, and he was ever found responding,
and helping on by his influence and en-
enlargement the men who were foremost
in the fray, and who were fighting their
country's battle, with almost superhu-
man strength. His pen, or his purse,
were never spared III any crisis when
they could be used to advantage; and
many and many time has his voice
been raised to encourage or restrain his
people in their struggles and their tri-
uinphs. The name of the archbishop OF
.Cashel Is one to conjure with in Ireland
so much do his people love him. And to
many of his countrymen, in lands far
away, whose lot is cast amongst stran-
gers, but whose hearts and hopes are cen
tered on the struggle going Oh at home
in the old country, the name Of the arch
bishop Of. Cashel is revered and loved, for
his never to be orgotten services to their
common native land. These services
will be continued in the future, with as
~.