Thomas Hussey (bishop)
Encyclopedia
Bishop
Thomas Hussey (1746 – 11 July 1803) was a diplomat
, chaplain
, and Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Waterford and Lismore
from 1797 until his death in 1803. He is best known for taking part in talks with Richard Cumberland
in a failed attempt to agree a peace treaty between Spain and Britain during the American War of Independence.
in 1746. Due to the restrictions of the Penal Laws, Hussey went to the Irish College at Salamanca
for his religious training, and joined the Trappists
upon completion of his studies.
ordered Hussey to take orders
and take a position in the court of the king of Spain
. In around 1767 he was appointed as chaplain to the Spanish embassy in London
.
Dr. Hussey became Spain's diplomatic contact with England when the Spanish ambassador had to leave London on account of the American War of Independence, Spain having taken sides against England. Following discussions with the government of Lord North, Hussey was sent to Madrid
to discuss Spain's withdrawal from the American cause. However, upon his return to Madrid, he attracted the notice of English Catholics in exile, who appealed to the Pope to involve Hussey in the advancement of the Catholic cause in Ireland.
He befriended the Irish born politician Edmund Burke
while in London. Dr. Hussey was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society
in 1792.
. He attracted widespread attention in 1797 by the issuing of a pastoral letter to his clergy, strongly resenting Government interference in ecclesiastical discipline and the proselytising of Protestants in Ireland through the establishment of religious schools.
at Mount Sion
in Waterford on July 7, 1803. By now in his mid-50s and in poor health, Hussey then settled his estate and had his will
drawn up, which amongst other things dealt with the upkeep of Edmund Rice's education of Waterford's poor boys, and ensured the survival of his fledgling religious congregation. After signing the will on July 10, Hussey went on a holiday to nearby Dunmore East
. The next morning, he went with Dean
Hearn for a swim, but suffered an apoplectic fit
and never regained consciousness.
Hussey's remains were brought back to Waterford for burial, but his funeral became the focus of sectarian violence. During the funeral procession to the Great Chapel, the coffin and Hussey's mourners were set upon by a group of drunken soldiers returning from an Orange Order meeting. These men abused the mourners and attempted to throw Bishop Hussey's remains into the River Suir
that runs through Waterford. A riot broke out, and the local militia
were forced to intervene and recover the remains, which were eventually interred in the Great Chapel as originally intended.
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
Thomas Hussey (1746 – 11 July 1803) was a diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
, chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
, and Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Waterford and Lismore
Roman Catholic Diocese of Waterford and Lismore
The Diocese of Waterford and Lismore is a Roman Catholic diocese in southern Ireland. It is one of six suffragan dioceses in the ecclesiastical province of Cashel and is subject to the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly. The diocese is in the secular province of the same name - Munster...
from 1797 until his death in 1803. He is best known for taking part in talks with Richard Cumberland
Richard Cumberland (dramatist)
Richard Cumberland was a British dramatist and civil servant. In 1771 his hit play The West Indian was first staged. During the American War of Independence he acted as a secret negotiator with Spain in an effort to secure a peace agreement between the two nations. He also edited a short-lived...
in a failed attempt to agree a peace treaty between Spain and Britain during the American War of Independence.
Early life
Hussey was born at Ballybogan, County MeathCounty Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
in 1746. Due to the restrictions of the Penal Laws, Hussey went to the Irish College at Salamanca
Salamanca
Salamanca is a city in western Spain, in the community of Castile and León. Because it is known for its beautiful buildings and urban environment, the Old City was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. It is the most important university city in Spain and is known for its contributions to...
for his religious training, and joined the Trappists
Trappists
The Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance , or Trappists, is a Roman Catholic religious order of cloistered contemplative monks who follow the Rule of St. Benedict...
upon completion of his studies.
Diplomatic career
However, the PopePope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
ordered Hussey to take orders
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....
and take a position in the court of the king of Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. In around 1767 he was appointed as chaplain to the Spanish embassy in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Dr. Hussey became Spain's diplomatic contact with England when the Spanish ambassador had to leave London on account of the American War of Independence, Spain having taken sides against England. Following discussions with the government of Lord North, Hussey was sent to Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
to discuss Spain's withdrawal from the American cause. However, upon his return to Madrid, he attracted the notice of English Catholics in exile, who appealed to the Pope to involve Hussey in the advancement of the Catholic cause in Ireland.
He befriended the Irish born politician Edmund Burke
Edmund Burke
Edmund Burke PC was an Irish statesman, author, orator, political theorist and philosopher who, after moving to England, served for many years in the House of Commons of Great Britain as a member of the Whig party....
while in London. Dr. Hussey was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
in 1792.
Maynooth and Waterford
In returning to Ireland, Hussey played a role in the establishment of Maynooth College, and became its first president in 1795. Shortly after he became the Bishop of the Diocese of Waterford and LismoreRoman Catholic Diocese of Waterford and Lismore
The Diocese of Waterford and Lismore is a Roman Catholic diocese in southern Ireland. It is one of six suffragan dioceses in the ecclesiastical province of Cashel and is subject to the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly. The diocese is in the secular province of the same name - Munster...
. He attracted widespread attention in 1797 by the issuing of a pastoral letter to his clergy, strongly resenting Government interference in ecclesiastical discipline and the proselytising of Protestants in Ireland through the establishment of religious schools.
Death and burial
Hussey officially opened the first monastery and school of Edmund Ignatius RiceEdmund Ignatius Rice
Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice , was a Roman Catholic missionary and educationalist. Edmund was the founder of two orders of religious brothers: the Congregation of Christian Brothers and the Presentation Brothers....
at Mount Sion
Mount Sion
Mount Sion is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in Waterford City, County Waterford, Ireland, founded by Brs O'Connor and Malone, teachers in the above school...
in Waterford on July 7, 1803. By now in his mid-50s and in poor health, Hussey then settled his estate and had his will
Will (law)
A will or testament is a legal declaration by which a person, the testator, names one or more persons to manage his/her estate and provides for the transfer of his/her property at death...
drawn up, which amongst other things dealt with the upkeep of Edmund Rice's education of Waterford's poor boys, and ensured the survival of his fledgling religious congregation. After signing the will on July 10, Hussey went on a holiday to nearby Dunmore East
Dunmore East
Dunmore East is a popular tourist and fishing village village in County Waterford, Ireland. Situated on the west side of Waterford Harbour on Ireland's southeastern coast, it lies within the barony of Gaultier : a reference to the influx of Norman settlers in the area.-History:Iron Age people...
. The next morning, he went with Dean
Dean (religion)
A dean, in a church context, is a cleric holding certain positions of authority within a religious hierarchy. The title is used mainly in the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church.-Anglican Communion:...
Hearn for a swim, but suffered an apoplectic fit
Fit
Fit or FIT may refer to:Fitness* Physical fitness, how well a person is suited for physical tasks* FitTV, cable television network about physical fitness* Wii Fit, Nintendo Wii video game about physical fitness...
and never regained consciousness.
Hussey's remains were brought back to Waterford for burial, but his funeral became the focus of sectarian violence. During the funeral procession to the Great Chapel, the coffin and Hussey's mourners were set upon by a group of drunken soldiers returning from an Orange Order meeting. These men abused the mourners and attempted to throw Bishop Hussey's remains into the River Suir
River Suir
The River Suir is a river in Ireland that flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Waterford after a distance of .Popular with anglers, it holds plentiful reserves of brown trout...
that runs through Waterford. A riot broke out, and the local militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
were forced to intervene and recover the remains, which were eventually interred in the Great Chapel as originally intended.