James Morrison (bishop)
Encyclopedia
Archbishop James Morrison (July 9, 1861 – April 13, 1950) was the longest-serving bishop of the Diocese of Antigonish, Nova Scotia
, Canada
. Although one of the last powerful and austere Roman Catholic bishops in Canada, Morrison presided over a diocese that created one of the most successful Catholic social movements in Canada.
Morrison strictly adhered to the statutes of the Roman Catholic faith. Extremely skeptical of debt, he was cautious in all matters relating to church finances. As Bishop of Antigonish he gained the ire of Rev. James Tompkins
and other priests for refusing to allow St. Francis Xavier University
to join a non-denominational university in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Although highly respected by the Catholic community, his cautious and frugal nature did not always foster tranquility.
. He was educated at the Charlottetown Normal College and at St. Dunstan's University from 1882-1884. He attended the Urban College of the Congregatio de Propaganda Fide
in Rome
from 1884-1889. Ordained for the Diocese of Charlottetown, Morrison held numerous positions, including Rector of St. Dunstan’s University, 1892 – 1895, Vicar-general, 1904-1912 and formal diocesan administrator, 1911-1912.
Father Morrison had been Vicar General, in the diocese of Charlottetown, P.E.I, Canada, when in 1908, Bishop MacDonald became a complete invalid. At this point Morrison assumed administrative control of the diocese until the latter part of 1912. When Rev. MacDonald died in 1912, Bishop O’Leary succeeded, whilst Fr Morrison was further ordained Bishop in September 1912.
Consecrated as Bishop of Antigonish on 4 September 1912, Morrison took over a diocese that was riddled with economic and political turmoil and wholly unprepared for the challenges of the twentieth century. He guided the diocese through two world wars, the challenges of economic decline, emigration and industrial unrest. He supported and fostered the St. Francis Xavier University extension department
, which aspired to alleviate some of the economic and social problems of the Maritime Provinces. He was appointed Archbishop in 1944.
When he died in 1950 he was the longest-serving of all Canadian Catholic prelates. From a historical perspective Morrison was one of an extremely few native born, pre- Confederation (1867) Canadians to later become an archbishop.
Antigonish, Nova Scotia
Antigonish is a Canadian town in Antigonish County, Nova Scotia. The town is home to St. Francis Xavier University and the oldest continuous highland games in North America.-History:...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Although one of the last powerful and austere Roman Catholic bishops in Canada, Morrison presided over a diocese that created one of the most successful Catholic social movements in Canada.
Morrison strictly adhered to the statutes of the Roman Catholic faith. Extremely skeptical of debt, he was cautious in all matters relating to church finances. As Bishop of Antigonish he gained the ire of Rev. James Tompkins
James Tompkins
Father Jimmy Tompkins was a Roman Catholic priest who founded the Antigonish Movement, a progressive effort that incorporated adult education, cooperatives and rural community development to aid the fishing and mining communities of northern and eastern Nova Scotia, Canada...
and other priests for refusing to allow St. Francis Xavier University
St. Francis Xavier University
St. Francis Xavier University is a post-secondary institution located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The school was founded in 1853, but did not offer degrees until 1868. The university has approximately 5000 students.-History:...
to join a non-denominational university in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Although highly respected by the Catholic community, his cautious and frugal nature did not always foster tranquility.
Brief biography
James Morrison was born in the rural village of Savage Harbour, Prince Edward IslandPrince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
. He was educated at the Charlottetown Normal College and at St. Dunstan's University from 1882-1884. He attended the Urban College of the Congregatio de Propaganda Fide
Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples
The Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in Rome is the congregation of the Roman Curia responsible for missionary work and related activities...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
from 1884-1889. Ordained for the Diocese of Charlottetown, Morrison held numerous positions, including Rector of St. Dunstan’s University, 1892 – 1895, Vicar-general, 1904-1912 and formal diocesan administrator, 1911-1912.
Father Morrison had been Vicar General, in the diocese of Charlottetown, P.E.I, Canada, when in 1908, Bishop MacDonald became a complete invalid. At this point Morrison assumed administrative control of the diocese until the latter part of 1912. When Rev. MacDonald died in 1912, Bishop O’Leary succeeded, whilst Fr Morrison was further ordained Bishop in September 1912.
Consecrated as Bishop of Antigonish on 4 September 1912, Morrison took over a diocese that was riddled with economic and political turmoil and wholly unprepared for the challenges of the twentieth century. He guided the diocese through two world wars, the challenges of economic decline, emigration and industrial unrest. He supported and fostered the St. Francis Xavier University extension department
Antigonish Movement
The Antigonish Movement blended adult education, co-operatives, microfinance and rural community development to help small, resource-based communities around Canada’s Maritimes improve their economic and social circumstances. A group of priests and educators, including Father Jimmy Tompkins, Father...
, which aspired to alleviate some of the economic and social problems of the Maritime Provinces. He was appointed Archbishop in 1944.
When he died in 1950 he was the longest-serving of all Canadian Catholic prelates. From a historical perspective Morrison was one of an extremely few native born, pre- Confederation (1867) Canadians to later become an archbishop.
Career highlights
- 1884 - Graduates from St. Dunstan's University
- 1889 - Graduates from Urban CollegePontifical Urbaniana UniversityThe Pontifical Urbaniana University or Pontifical Urban University is a pontifical university under the authority of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.-History:...
with doctorates in Philosophy and Divinity - 1 November 1889 - Ordained a priest in the chapel of the Propaganda College by Msgr. Lenti.
- 1891 - Joins the staff of St. Dunstan's University
- 1892 - Appointed Rector of St. Dunstan's University
- 1904 - Appointed Vicar-general of the Diocese of Charlottetown
- 1905 - Awarded an honorary degree by St. Francis Xavier UniversitySt. Francis Xavier UniversitySt. Francis Xavier University is a post-secondary institution located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The school was founded in 1853, but did not offer degrees until 1868. The university has approximately 5000 students.-History:...
- 1907 - Parish priest, Vernon River, Prince Edward IslandPrince Edward IslandPrince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
- 1911 - Appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Charlottetown
- 4 September 1912 - Consecrated Bishop of Antigonish in St. Ninian's Cathedral, Antigonish
- 1944 - Appointed Archbishop "ad personam"
- 13 April 1950 - dies in Antigonish, Nova ScotiaAntigonish, Nova ScotiaAntigonish is a Canadian town in Antigonish County, Nova Scotia. The town is home to St. Francis Xavier University and the oldest continuous highland games in North America.-History:...
, aged 88