James Augustine McFaul

James Augustine McFaul (June 6, 1850 June 16, 1917) was an Irish-born prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Trenton in New Jersey from 1894 until his death in 1917.


James Augustine McFaul
Bishop of Trenton
SeeDiocese of Trenton
AppointedJuly 20, 1894
PredecessorMichael J. O'Farrell
SuccessorThomas Walsh
Orders
OrdinationMay 26, 1877
by Michael Corrigan
ConsecrationOctober 18, 1894
by Michael Corrigan
Personal details
Born(1850-06-06)June 6, 1850
DiedJune 16, 1917(1917-06-16) (aged 67)
Trenton, New Jersey, US
NationalityIrish
ParentsJames McFaul & Mary Hefferman
EducationSt. Francis Xavier College
Saint Vincent College
Seton Hall College
SignatureJames Augustine McFaul's signature

Biography

Early life

James McFaul was born on June 6, 1850, in Larne, County Antrim in Ireland, to James and Mary (née Hefferman) McFaul.[1] The family moved to the United States when he was an infant, residing in New York City for four years before settling in Bound Brook, New Jersey.[1] James McFaul worked on his father's farm and at age 15 became a clerk at a country store near Bound Brook.[2]

With the intention of becoming a lawyer, McFaul attended Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, from 1867 to 1871.[2] He completed his classical studies at St. Francis Xavier College in New York City in 1873, and then studied theology at Seton Hall College in South Orange, New Jersey.[1]

Priesthood

McFaul was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Michael Corrigan on May 26, 1877.[3] He then served as a curate at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Newark until 1879, when he was transferred to St. Mary's Cathedral in Trenton.[2] He was named private secretary to Bishop Michael J. O'Farrell in 1882, and pastor of the Church of St. Mary, Star of the Sea Parish at Long Branch in 1884.[2]

In October 1890, McFaul returned to St. Mary's Cathedral as its rector.[1] Having served as O'Farrell's secretary and chancellor of the diocese, he was appointed as vicar general by O'Farrell on November 1, 1892.[2] Upon O'Farrell's death in April 1894, McFaul was named the apostolic administrator of the diocese by the Holy See.[2]

Bishop of Trenton

On July 20, 1894, McFaul was appointed the second bishop of the Diocese of Trenton by Pope Leo XIII.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on October 18, 1894, from Archbishop Corrigan, with Bishops Charles McDonnell and Bernard McQuaid serving as co-consecrators.[3]

During his tenure, McFaul helped erect many churches, schools, and institutions in New Jersey, including an orphanage at Hopewell,[4] a home for senior citizens at Lawrenceville,[5] and Mount St. Mary's College at Plainfield.[6] He was also one of the key organizers of the American Federation of Catholic Societies.[1] In 1909, McFaul created a controversy when he accused the professors at American colleges and universities of an "upbuilding of a cynicism and intimacy with immoral ideas."[7]

James McFaul died at his official residence in Trenton on June 16, 1917, aged 67.[7]

References

  1. "Trenton". Catholic Encyclopedia.
  2. "Is Now Bishop of Trenton; James A. McFaul Consecrated by Archbishop Corrigan". The New York Times. Trenton, New Jersey. October 19, 1894. p. 8. Retrieved May 12, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Bishop James Augustine McFaul". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
  4. "St. Michael´s Orphanage". Hopewell Valley History. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  5. "Morris Hall". Morris Hall History. Archived from the original on August 9, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  6. "Mount Saint Mary´s College". Mount Saint Mary´s History. Archived from the original on July 19, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  7. "Bishop J. A. M'Faul Dies in Trenton". The New York Times. Trenton, New Jersey. June 17, 1917. p. 19. Retrieved May 12, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
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