John Tuigg
Encyclopedia
John Tuigg was the third Roman Catholic
bishop
of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
.
Tuigg was born in 1820 in Donoughmore, Ireland, and educated at All Hallows College
in Drumcoudra
. In 1849, when Michael O'Connor
—the bishop of Pittsburgh at the time—traveled to Dublin, calling for volunteers for missionary work in America, young Tuigg was the first to respond. He reached Pittsburgh in December 1849, and finished his studies at St. Michael's Seminary, where he was appointed professor for a brief time. Tuigg was ordained a priest in May 1850, and was soon after appointed secretary to the bishop, Michael Domenec
. He was also an assistant priest in Saint Paul Cathedral
. Tuigg was then transferred to St. Bridget's parish, and with characteristic energy, immediately began to erect a new church. Soon, however, he was transferred to mission work in Altoona, where he remained until 1876.
Father Tuigg had been appointed vicar general for the eastern part of the diocese of Pittsburgh, but the Diocese of Allegheny
split from the Diocese of Pittsburgh and Bishop Domenec was selected to lead the new diocese. Tuigg was selected to preside over the see of Pittsburgh—in fact, he was officially notified that the Pope would not accept any declination of the honor. Appointed in January, on March 19, 1876 he was consecrated bishop of Pittsburgh; upon his accession he found that the Panic of 1873
had left the diocese's property and finances in disarray. Yet Bishop Tuigg extricated the diocese from its difficulties and gave new impetus to the young suffragan diocese.
Upon the retirement of Bishop Domenec in 1877, the territory that had belonged to the Diocese of Allegheny was left sede vacante
. Bishop Tuigg was appointed Apostolic Administrator of the territory, but this new and increased burden was more than he could bear, and Tuigg's health began to give way. After having suffered a paralytic stroke, he took a sabbatical. Though he had begun to recover, Bishop Tuigg returned, and suffered another stroke. His bad health forced him to retire; his successor, Richard Phelan, was appointed coadjutor to the two sees with right of succession. At the time, the combined Pittsburgh and Allegheny dioceses contained 133 churches and 191 chapels, convents, and educational institutions. Bishop Tuigg died in Altoona on December 7, 1889 and is buried in the cemetery of St. John Church in that city.
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...
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 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh is a Roman Catholic diocese. It was established in Western Pennsylvania on August 11, 1843. The diocese includes 211 parishes in the counties of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Lawrence, and Washington, an area of with a Catholic population of 719,801...
.
Tuigg was born in 1820 in Donoughmore, Ireland, and educated at All Hallows College
All Hallows College
All Hallows College is a Roman Catholic college located in Drumcondra, Dublin, Ireland. All Hallows is one of six linked colleges of Dublin City University, meaning that the college's degrees are validated and accredited by the university.-History:...
in Drumcoudra
Drumcondra, Dublin
Drumcondra is a residential area and inner suburb on the Northside of Dublin, Ireland. It is administered by Dublin City Council.The River Tolka and the Royal Canal flow through the area.-History:...
. In 1849, when Michael O'Connor
Michael O'Connor
Michael O'Connor may refer to:Politicians* Michael O'Connor , Australian politician* Michael A. O'Connor, mayor of Berwyn, Illinois, USA* Michael P. O'Connor , U.S...
—the bishop of Pittsburgh at the time—traveled to Dublin, calling for volunteers for missionary work in America, young Tuigg was the first to respond. He reached Pittsburgh in December 1849, and finished his studies at St. Michael's Seminary, where he was appointed professor for a brief time. Tuigg was ordained a priest in May 1850, and was soon after appointed secretary to the bishop, Michael Domenec
Michael Domenec
Michael Domenec, D.D., C.M. was the second Roman Catholic bishop of the diocese of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the only bishop of the short-lived Diocese of Allegheny.-Background:...
. He was also an assistant priest in Saint Paul Cathedral
Cathedral of Saint Paul in Pittsburgh
The Cathedral of Saint Paul is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States...
. Tuigg was then transferred to St. Bridget's parish, and with characteristic energy, immediately began to erect a new church. Soon, however, he was transferred to mission work in Altoona, where he remained until 1876.
Father Tuigg had been appointed vicar general for the eastern part of the diocese of Pittsburgh, but the Diocese of Allegheny
Allegheny (titular see)
The Diocese of Allegheny is a titular see in the Roman Catholic Church. The first titular bishop was appointed to this see on 29 October 1971. In Latin, the see is known as Dioecesis Alleghenensis. The see was created from the Diocese of Pittsburgh on 11 January 1876, and Bishop Michael Domenec...
split from the Diocese of Pittsburgh and Bishop Domenec was selected to lead the new diocese. Tuigg was selected to preside over the see of Pittsburgh—in fact, he was officially notified that the Pope would not accept any declination of the honor. Appointed in January, on March 19, 1876 he was consecrated bishop of Pittsburgh; upon his accession he found that the Panic of 1873
Panic of 1873
The Panic of 1873 triggered a severe international economic depression in both Europe and the United States that lasted until 1879, and even longer in some countries. The depression was known as the Great Depression until the 1930s, but is now known as the Long Depression...
had left the diocese's property and finances in disarray. Yet Bishop Tuigg extricated the diocese from its difficulties and gave new impetus to the young suffragan diocese.
Upon the retirement of Bishop Domenec in 1877, the territory that had belonged to the Diocese of Allegheny was left sede vacante
Sede vacante
Sede vacante is an expression, used in the Canon Law of the Catholic Church, that refers to the vacancy of the episcopal see of a particular church...
. Bishop Tuigg was appointed Apostolic Administrator of the territory, but this new and increased burden was more than he could bear, and Tuigg's health began to give way. After having suffered a paralytic stroke, he took a sabbatical. Though he had begun to recover, Bishop Tuigg returned, and suffered another stroke. His bad health forced him to retire; his successor, Richard Phelan, was appointed coadjutor to the two sees with right of succession. At the time, the combined Pittsburgh and Allegheny dioceses contained 133 churches and 191 chapels, convents, and educational institutions. Bishop Tuigg died in Altoona on December 7, 1889 and is buried in the cemetery of St. John Church in that city.