Augustine Van de Vyver
Encyclopedia
Augustine Van de Vyver was a Belgian-American Catholic priest, who became the sixth Bishop of Richmond, Virginia.
Father Van de Vyver's appointment by Rome to succeed Bishop Keane as Bishop of Richmond, 16 July, 1889, was furthered by a petition of the priests of the diocese. He was consecrated, 20 October, 1889, having as consecrating prelates his two predecessors, Cardinal James Gibbons and Bishop J. J. Keane (afterwards archbishop), then rector of the Catholic University, Washington. During Bishop Van de Vyver's administration Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Fortune Ryan
of New York donated the Sacred Heart Cathedral
, the former the building, the latter the furnishings, at a cost of nearly a half million dollars. Diomede Falconio
laid the cornerstone of the new cathedral, 4 June, 1903, and consecrated the same, 29 November, 1906. In a quasi-synod held by the bishop, 12 November, 1907, new laws were enacted to meet the needs of the diocese.
Bishop Van de Vyver made several attempts to resign his see. The first, in 1903, and the second, in 1905, were frustrated by the Church authorities, priest and people being ignorant of his intention. The bishop's third and almost successful attempt to resign (1908) came to the knowledge of the people, who held a mass meeting. The efforts of clergy and laity caused the final withdrawal of his resignation.
After a farewell visit to his relatives in Belgium, followed by two weeks of illness on his return, and having calmly prepared himself by the reception of the last sacraments, Bishop Van de Vyver died. He was buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Richmond, which he as vicar-general had purchased.
Life
His parents were John Ferdinand Van de Vyver and Sophia (De Schepper). He was educated in the city of St. Nicholas, Belgium, and at the American College, Louvain (1867-70). Ordained priest, 24 July, 1870, he served successively as assistant at St. Peter's Cathedral, Richmond, pastor of Harper's Ferry(1875-81), pastor of the cathedral, and vicar-general of the Diocese of Richmond (1881-89). Assigned with him at the cathedral for a time was Dennis J. O'Connell, who was to be his successor in the See of Richmond.Father Van de Vyver's appointment by Rome to succeed Bishop Keane as Bishop of Richmond, 16 July, 1889, was furthered by a petition of the priests of the diocese. He was consecrated, 20 October, 1889, having as consecrating prelates his two predecessors, Cardinal James Gibbons and Bishop J. J. Keane (afterwards archbishop), then rector of the Catholic University, Washington. During Bishop Van de Vyver's administration Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Fortune Ryan
Thomas Fortune Ryan
Thomas Fortune Ryan was a U.S. tobacco and transport magnate. Part of his fortune paid for the construction of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond, Virginia.-Early days:...
of New York donated the Sacred Heart Cathedral
Sacred Heart Cathedral
Sacred Heart Cathedral may refer to:in Australia*Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo, Victoria, Australiain Bosnia and Herzegovina* Cathedral of Jesus' Heart, Sarajevoin Canada...
, the former the building, the latter the furnishings, at a cost of nearly a half million dollars. Diomede Falconio
Diomede Falconio
Diomede Angelo Raffaele Gennaro Falconio, OFM was an Italian Cardinal of the Catholic Church. He served as Prefect of the Congregation for Religious from 1916 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1911.-Biography:Diomede Falconio was born in Pescocostanzo as one of the five...
laid the cornerstone of the new cathedral, 4 June, 1903, and consecrated the same, 29 November, 1906. In a quasi-synod held by the bishop, 12 November, 1907, new laws were enacted to meet the needs of the diocese.
Bishop Van de Vyver made several attempts to resign his see. The first, in 1903, and the second, in 1905, were frustrated by the Church authorities, priest and people being ignorant of his intention. The bishop's third and almost successful attempt to resign (1908) came to the knowledge of the people, who held a mass meeting. The efforts of clergy and laity caused the final withdrawal of his resignation.
After a farewell visit to his relatives in Belgium, followed by two weeks of illness on his return, and having calmly prepared himself by the reception of the last sacraments, Bishop Van de Vyver died. He was buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Richmond, which he as vicar-general had purchased.