The Irish standard., 1908-04-11
DIOCESE OF new YORK
One Hundred Years Ago But 8
Single Church in the City.
re- Than 800 Now, Besides the
Many Institutions.

and lasting through Sunday, May 3,
will be held in this city the centennial
commemoration of the establishment
Of the Roman Catholic diocese Of New
York, says the New York Sun.
The young church in New York state
was raised to this dignity by Pope
Plus VII. on April s, 1908, and the Rev,
+ Luke Concanen, a Dominican monk
was named as it's first Bishop. He was
consecrated on April "a, 1908, at which
time he was nearing his seventeen
year; but i'll health and other circum-
stances prevented his ever reaching
this country, and he died about two
years later.
There was at the time single Cath
olic church in New York city, st.
Peters, in Barclay street. Before long
+he number Of Catholics had increased
so that it became imperative that an
other church edifice should be erected.
A plot of ground between Broadway
and the Bowery road-then on the
outskirts of the city-was purchased,
and on it was built the original cathe-
dral, old st. Patrick's, in Mott street,
the cornerstone being laid June 8, 1909.
Six years later the Cathedral was fin
ished, the dedication taking place May
4. 1915.
The next work Of the Church was
the establishment of a classical college
the New York Literary Institute.
which was opened under the charge OF
the Jesults. After about four years
it's management was given over to
some Trappist monks, who changed II
into an orphanage. These monks
found themselves exiles from France
under the reign Of Napoleon but after
his fall, when their native land was
again open to them, they abandoned
their home in New York and returned
to France, thus bringing to an end the
New York Literary Institute.
The second Bishop of New York was
the Rev. John Connolly, a subject of
Great Britain, who was consecrated
November 6, 1914. When he arrived in
America nearly a year later he was
verv disappointed at the state Of af-
fairs here. He found that In his see
there were only three churches and he
had only four priests as assistants;
Furthermore his cathedral was 100000
in debt.
The great problem that faced the
Bishop was to get the priests in touch
with the Roman Catholics who were
scattered over the state. This problem
was made still more complex by the
construction of the Erie canal, for the
demand for laborers increased imm-
grafton and many of the immigrants
were Irish and Catholics.
By 1926 there were over 100000 Ro-
man Catholics in the state. The Bish-
op stationed priests in different parts
Of his territory and after eight years
labor had been able to establish
churches in thirteen places.
Having been head of the diocese for
ten years Bishop Connolly died, and
was succeeded in 1926 by Father John
Dubois. On entering upon his Office
this third Bishop was received coldly.
for the choice of the people was very
strongly in favor of the Rev. John
Power who had governed the diocese
since the death of the former Bishop.
Bishop Dubois had other troubles to
cope with also.
At this time there were 10000 Ro-
man Catholics in the city, with only
\ six priests to attend them: and 100000
E in the rest of the diocese, with twelve
K priests. The Church was sadly in need
nntiring energy and at his death in
I. 1912 there were in his diocese 100000
1 Catholics, about 60 churches missions.
u etc, and 40 priests.
During the five years from 1885 to
II 1870 as many church buildings were
erected as in the preceding 40 years.
q The services in the churches were still
IF Of the simplest order even in the cities,
a for the pastors had out missions that
Il had to be attended. A low mass and a
sg brief sermon were all that could be
given as rule, and music was of the
simplest character.
The next chapter in the history of
& the diocese was made notable by the
ability and energy OF Bishop (after-
e ward Archbishop John Hughes, fourth
q Bishop of New York. He was conse-
Grated on January 9, 1888. as coadjutor
Il TO Bishop Dubois, and succeeded him
lin the see.
On July 10, 1850, Bishop Hughes was
~ created first Archbishop OF New York
&SOf him it has been said: His great
& influence with the people was based
Sfupon. his labors in their behalf. He