Andrew Byrne
Encyclopedia
Andrew Byrne was an Irish-American Catholic priest, who became the first Bishop of Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.A..
(South Carolina), and he accompanied the bishop to the United States. He was ordained at Charleston
, 11 November 1827, and after active missionary work in South and North Carolina was for several years vicar-general of the diocese.
In 1836 he removed to New York City
, where he served at St. Patrick's, St. James's and the church of the Nativity, and finally altered, in 1843, Carroll Hall, which might be termed the cradle of the public school system of New York, into St. Andrew's church. While pastor there in 1844, the new Diocese of Little Rock, comprising the State of Arkansas and all of the Indian Territory, was created, and Father Byrne was named its first bishop. He was consecrated in St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City, 10 March 1844, at the same time that John McCloskey was consecrated coadjutor of New York, and the Rev. William Quarter
, Bishop of Chicago
.
There were then in Arkansas only about 700 Catholics, with one priest and two churches. Shortly before Bishop Byrne died, he claimed that the number of Catholics had increased largely, with nine or more priests, eleven churches, thirty stations, and twelve schools and academies.
He visited Ireland several times to obtain assistants. He introduced the Sisters of Mercy
from Dublin and at the time of his death had almost completed arrangements for the starting of a college at Fort Smith
by the Congregation of Christian Brothers
.
He was one of the prelates attending the Sixth Provincial Council of Baltimore in May, 1846, and the First Provincial Council of New Orleans in 1856. At the Second Baltimore Council, in 1833, he acted as Bishop England's theologian.
Life
He was an ecclesiastical student when, in 1820, Bishop England sought volunteers for the mission of the newly created Roman Catholic Diocese of CharlestonRoman Catholic Diocese of Charleston
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the southern United States and comprises the entire state of South Carolina, with Charleston as its see city. Currently, the diocese consists of 92 parishes and 24 missions...
(South Carolina), and he accompanied the bishop to the United States. He was ordained at Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
, 11 November 1827, and after active missionary work in South and North Carolina was for several years vicar-general of the diocese.
In 1836 he removed to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where he served at St. Patrick's, St. James's and the church of the Nativity, and finally altered, in 1843, Carroll Hall, which might be termed the cradle of the public school system of New York, into St. Andrew's church. While pastor there in 1844, the new Diocese of Little Rock, comprising the State of Arkansas and all of the Indian Territory, was created, and Father Byrne was named its first bishop. He was consecrated in St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City, 10 March 1844, at the same time that John McCloskey was consecrated coadjutor of New York, and the Rev. William Quarter
William Quarter
William J. Quarter was an Irish American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He was the first Bishop of Chicago .-Biography:...
, Bishop of Chicago
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago
The Archdiocese of Chicago was established as a diocese in 1843 and as an Archdiocese in 1880. It serves more than 2.3 million Catholics in Cook and Lake counties in Northeastern Illinois, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The Archdiocese is divided into six vicariates and 31 deaneries...
.
There were then in Arkansas only about 700 Catholics, with one priest and two churches. Shortly before Bishop Byrne died, he claimed that the number of Catholics had increased largely, with nine or more priests, eleven churches, thirty stations, and twelve schools and academies.
He visited Ireland several times to obtain assistants. He introduced the Sisters of Mercy
Sisters of Mercy
The Religious Order of the Sisters of Mercy is an order of Catholic women founded by Catherine McAuley in Dublin, Ireland, in 1831. , the order has about 10,000 members worldwide, organized into a number of independent congregations....
from Dublin and at the time of his death had almost completed arrangements for the starting of a college at Fort Smith
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Fort Smith is the second-largest city in Arkansas and one of the two county seats of Sebastian County. With a population of 86,209 in 2010, it is the principal city of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area, a region of 298,592 residents which encompasses the Arkansas...
by the Congregation of Christian Brothers
Congregation of Christian Brothers
The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Blessed Edmund Rice. The Christian Brothers, as they are commonly known, chiefly work for the evangelisation and education of youth, but are involved in many ministries, especially with...
.
He was one of the prelates attending the Sixth Provincial Council of Baltimore in May, 1846, and the First Provincial Council of New Orleans in 1856. At the Second Baltimore Council, in 1833, he acted as Bishop England's theologian.