James Hannigan (bishop)
Encyclopedia
James Hannigan was an Irish
-born prelate
of the Roman Catholic Church
. He served firstly as the Bishop of Menevia
(1983–1987), then the Bishop of Wrexham
(1987–1994).
Born in Cloghan, County Donegal
on 15 July 1928, he was ordained
to the priesthood
on 27 June 1954. He was appointed the Bishop
of the Diocese of Menevia by the Holy See
on 13 October 1983. His consecration
to the Episcopate
took place on 23 November 1983, the principal consecrator
was John Ward
, Archbishop of Cardiff, and the principal co-consecrators were Daniel Mullins
, Auxiliary Bishop of Cardiff (later Bishop of Menevia) and Séamus Hegart, Bishop of Raphoe
(later Bishop of Derry
). Hannigan became the first Bishop of Wrexham
on 12 February 1987.
He died in office on 7 March 1994, aged 65.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
-born prelate
Prelate
A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy who is an ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin prælatus, the past participle of præferre, which means "carry before", "be set above or over" or "prefer"; hence, a prelate is one set over others.-Related...
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He served firstly as the Bishop of Menevia
Bishop of Menevia
The Bishop of Menevia is the Ordinary of the Latin Rite Roman Catholic Diocese of Menevia in the Province of Cardiff.The Diocese of Menevia covers an area of roughly consisting of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, the City and County of Swansea and the ancient counties...
(1983–1987), then the Bishop of Wrexham
Bishop of Wrexham
The Bishop of Wrexham is the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wrexham in the Province of Cardiff in Wales.The diocese covers an area of and consists of the Welsh historic counties of Anglesey, Caernarfonshire, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Merionethshire and Montgomeryshire The Bishop of...
(1987–1994).
Born in Cloghan, County Donegal
Cloghan, County Donegal
Cloghan is a village located in the rural centre of County Donegal, on the R252 regional road northwest of the “Twin Towns” of Ballybofey and Stranorlar.Cloghan boasts one of the most prolific wild salmon and sea trout fishing areas in Ireland...
on 15 July 1928, he was ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
to the priesthood
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
on 27 June 1954. He was appointed the Bishop
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
of the Diocese of Menevia by the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
on 13 October 1983. His consecration
Consecration
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups...
to the Episcopate
Episcopal polity
Episcopal polity is a form of church governance that is hierarchical in structure with the chief authority over a local Christian church resting in a bishop...
took place on 23 November 1983, the principal consecrator
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
was John Ward
John Aloysius Ward
John Aloysius Ward was a Roman Catholic clergyman. He became Bishop of Menevia in 1981, and Archbishop of Cardiff in 1983...
, Archbishop of Cardiff, and the principal co-consecrators were Daniel Mullins
Daniel Joseph Mullins
Daniel Joseph Mullins was an Roman Catholic prelate who served as the Bishop of Menevia from 1987 to 2001.Born in Kilfinane, County Limerick, Ireland on 10 July 1929, he was ordained to the priesthood on 12 April 1953. He was appointed an auxiliary bishop of Cardiff and Titular Bishop of...
, Auxiliary Bishop of Cardiff (later Bishop of Menevia) and Séamus Hegart, Bishop of Raphoe
Bishop of Raphoe
The Bishop of Raphoe is an episcopal title which takes its name after the town of Raphoe in County Donegal, Ireland. In the Roman Catholic Church it remains a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with another bishopric.-History:...
(later Bishop of Derry
Bishop of Derry
The Bishop of Derry is an episcopal title which takes its name after the city of Derry in Northern Ireland. In the Roman Catholic Church it remains a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with another bishopric.-History:...
). Hannigan became the first Bishop of Wrexham
Bishop of Wrexham
The Bishop of Wrexham is the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wrexham in the Province of Cardiff in Wales.The diocese covers an area of and consists of the Welsh historic counties of Anglesey, Caernarfonshire, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Merionethshire and Montgomeryshire The Bishop of...
on 12 February 1987.
He died in office on 7 March 1994, aged 65.