Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1902-10-04
Has Always Been a Student and
Promoter of Educa-
ton.
Men Educated Under Him Have
Become Bishops and Arch
bishops.
HIS FIRST CLASS IN LOUISVILLE

The Right Rev. William George Nc
Closkey, fourth Bishop of Louisville and
Senior Bishop of the Province, was born
in BROOKLYN, N. ", November %, 1928.
His father and mother we're both natives
of ireland, and from them he received
his first religious training. When only
thirteen years old he was sent to Mount
St. Mary's, Emmittsburg, Md, 1.-THE
cradle of Bishops" There he spent
many happy but studious years, and
when he had completed his preparatory
course he removed to New York City,
where he devoted himself to the study OF
law. Although he was a good student
and made rapid progress, he found the
law not altogether to his liking. Some
thing higher called him. He returned to
St. Mary's, and entering the theological
seminary, spent six years in studying
theology and philosophy. At the end OF
his course he was ordained on October g.,
1852. This solemn event took place in
the cathedral in New York City, Arch
bishop Hughes officiating.
And now, fifty years later, his people
in the diocese of Louisville, the clergy OF
his diocese and the Bishops and priests
Of other dioceses are about to celebrate
the anniversary of that happy event, the
highest honor that can come to man, his
elevation to the priesthood.
Immediately after his ordination he
was made assistant to his brother, Father
George McCloskey, rector of the Church
Of the Nativity, New York. In less than
a year he was called back to st. Mary's,
his alma mater, where he was installed
as Professor of Latin and Sacred Script
ure. He held this position until 1857,
when he was chosen Director OF St.
Mary's Theological Seminary, to sue
coed Rev. DIR. Elder, who had been
chosen Bishop of Natchez, and who is at
present the Archbishop of Cincinnati
About this time Georgetown College
conferred upon Father McCloskey the
honorary degree of Doctor of Theology.
Then came the establishment OF the
American College at Rome. Its success
depended on its first rector. A man OF
profound learning and of executive
ability was absolutely necessary. The
choice of the American hierarchy fell
upon Rev. DIR. William George Nc
Closkey. The recommendation was sent
to Rome and was approved by His Holi-
ness, Pope Plus TX. And so in 1859 the
American College was opened and DR.
McCloskey was installed as its rector.
From the beginning the success of the
college was assured under his able
management.
Our Right Rev. Bishop has good cause
to feel proud of his record as an educator.
The young men, who were the original
students in the American College at
Rome, would alone make him famous.
Two of them became Archbishops, Arch
bishop Riordan of San Francisco and
the late Archbishop Corrigan OF New
York. Another one Of these students,
who became celebrated, was DIR.
McGlynn now dead. Still others are
Rev. Reuben Parsons, d. D., of Yonkers,
N. ", Fathers Cassidy and Gibney, of
San Francisco, both now dead; Father
Northrop, of Charlestown, N. c., dead;
Father Clifford, of Chicago, dead; Father
Zingsheim, of Alton, dead; Father
O'Neil, of Albany, dead; Father Meri-
wether, of Charlestown, who has since
became Jesuit, and Right Rev. Monsig-
nor Seton, of Newark, N. j.. who has
recently retired to Rome. All of these
students became learned doctors of the
faith. DIR. McGiynn, was the first Vice
Rector of the College, as DIR. McCloskey
was the first rector. Nearly all of these
have passed into eternity, but their pre-
ceptor still lives.
The American College at Rome was
established by the late Holy Father
Plus TX. II was his own idea. The
college was opened in convent in the
via dell Umilita. which had been bought
for that purpose from an order OF sisters
which had moved to other quarters.
Pope Plus TX, at the head of the stu
utuLS OI iii udtlOn5 40 wei oo @AaA~AA~@ho1
marched from the Propaganda to the
new college on tour of inspection.
This was before the liberty of the Pope
had been taken away. Afterwards the
new American. College was formally
opened by Cardinal Barnabo, Project Of
the Propaganda. DIR. William George
McCloskey was installed as the first
rector. Under his care were the young
theologians mentioned above. At the
completion of his course DIR. McGlynn
became the first vice rector Of the college.
Nearly all of the members of the first
class afterwards became rectors of coll
leges themselves.
For nearly nine years DIR. McCloskey
conducted the affairs Of the American
College with wisdom and ability. On
the death of Bishop Lavialle, which oc-