Thomas Aloysius Boland facts for kids

Styles of Thomas Aloysius Boland
Reference style	The Most Reverend
Spoken style	Your Excellency
Religious style	Monsignor
Posthumous style	none

Thomas Aloysius Boland (February 17, 1896 – March 16, 1979) was an important leader in the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. He served as the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Newark in New Jersey from 1952 to 1974. Before that, he was an auxiliary bishop (a helper bishop) in Newark and then the bishop of the Diocese of Paterson.

Early Life and Education

Thomas Boland was born in Orange, New Jersey. His parents were John Peter and Ellen Agnes Boland. He went to St. John's School in Orange for his early education. Later, he attended St. Francis Xavier High School in New York City.

In 1915, Boland started college at Seton Hall College in South Orange, New Jersey. He was a very good student and graduated in 1919 as the top student in his class. After college, he went to Rome to study to become a priest at the Pontifical North American College. He earned a special degree called a Doctor of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Urbaniana University.

Becoming a Priest

On December 23, 1922, Thomas Boland became a priest in Rome. This happened at the Basilica of St. John Lateran. After returning to New Jersey, he worked as a curate (a priest who helps the main priest) at St. Catherine's Parish in Hillside. He also served at St. Mary's Parish in Nutley.

Besides his church duties, Boland taught Sacred Scripture (the Bible) and old languages at Seton Hall Preparatory School and Seton Hall College. From 1926 to 1938, he was a professor at Immaculate Conception Seminary. He taught about moral rules and canon law (church laws).

In 1933, he became an official who helped decide if marriages were valid in the church. He also led meetings for priests. From 1938 to 1940, he was the chancellor for the archdiocese. This role is like a chief administrator.

Serving as a Bishop

Auxiliary Bishop of Newark

On May 21, 1940, Pope Pius XII chose Boland to be an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Newark. He was also given the title of Titular Bishop of Hirina. He officially became a bishop on July 25, 1940. Archbishop Thomas Walsh led the ceremony.

As an auxiliary bishop, Boland was the rector (head) of Immaculate Conception Seminary from 1940 to 1947. He taught about how to be a good pastor and church services. He also helped lead the Newark branch of the National Organization for Decent Literature. He helped organize a special church meeting called a synod in 1941.

Bishop of Paterson

After Bishop Thomas H. McLaughlin passed away, Boland was chosen to be the second bishop of the Diocese of Paterson. This happened on June 21, 1947. He officially took on his new role at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson on September 18, 1947.

Leading the Archdiocese of Newark

Boland became the second archbishop of the Archdiocese of Newark on November 15, 1952. He was installed at Sacred Heart Church in Newark, New Jersey, on January 14, 1953. On October 19, 1954, he officially opened the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Newark. During this ceremony, he received the pallium. This is a special cloth worn by metropolitan bishops (leaders of a group of dioceses).

Between 1962 and 1965, Boland attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council in Rome. This was a very important meeting for the Catholic Church. He was chosen to lead a committee of bishops there. In June 1965, Pope Paul VI honored him for his work. This included starting many new parishes (local churches) and schools. He also helped ordinary church members, called the laity, get more involved in church activities.

Boland was also part of the Catholic Mission Board in the United States. He helped connect women religious (nuns) with American Catholic bishops. He also founded several high schools in New Jersey. These include St. Joseph Regional High School, Immaculate Heart Academy, and Paramus Catholic High School.

In January 1969, some priests in the archdiocese raised concerns about how the church was serving African American communities. They asked for changes, like forming a committee of priests for inner-city issues. They also asked for better ways to choose priests for African American areas. In response, Archbishop Boland shared a report. It showed the programs the archdiocese had in place to help African Americans. He stated that he had worked hard to achieve goals for those in need.

Retirement and Legacy

Archbishop Boland retired from his role as archbishop of Newark on April 2, 1974. He had served for twenty-one years. Thomas Boland passed away at St. Mary's Hospital in Orange on March 16, 1979. He was 83 years old. He was buried in the crypt (an underground burial place) of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.