Thomas Hussey (bishop) facts for kids
Thomas Hussey (born 1746, died 1803) was an important person in Irish history. He was a Bishop in the Catholic Church. He also worked as a diplomat, helping countries talk to each other. He is famous for trying to make peace between Spain and Britain during a big war called the American War of Independence. He served as the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Waterford and Lismore from 1797 until he passed away.
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Thomas Hussey's Early Life
Thomas Hussey was born in 1746 in a place called Ballybogan in County Meath, Ireland. At that time, there were strict laws in Ireland called the Penal Laws. These laws made it hard for Catholics to get religious training in Ireland. Because of this, Hussey had to go to the Irish College at Salamanca in Spain to study for the church. After finishing his studies, he joined a religious group called the Trappists.
His Work as a Diplomat
Because Thomas Hussey was very smart, the Pope asked him to become a priest. For a while, Hussey worked closely with the King of Spain's court and became well-known in Madrid. Around 1767, he was chosen to be a chaplain at the Spanish embassy in London. A chaplain is a priest who works for an organization or a group of people.
A Safe Place to Worship
Between 1793 and 1796, a new Catholic chapel was built in London. It was called St James's, Spanish Place. This happened after some laws affecting Catholic worship were changed. Hussey became the leader of this chapel. Embassies often had their own Catholic chapels. These chapels were safe places for Catholics in London to worship, especially when their religion was restricted. Many of these chapels had priests who spoke English to help the local community.
Helping with Peace Talks
When the Spanish ambassador had to leave London, Thomas Hussey became Spain's unofficial contact person. This happened because Spain sided against Britain during the American War of Independence. After talking with the British government, Hussey was sent to Madrid to discuss Spain leaving the war. When he returned to Madrid, English Catholics living in exile noticed him. They asked him to go to Rome to explain their situation to the Pope. However, the Spanish embassy would not let him leave.
Hussey became friends with a famous Irish politician named Edmund Burke in London. In 1792, Thomas Hussey was also chosen to be a member of the Royal Society. This is a very old and respected group that promotes science.
Maynooth College and Becoming a Bishop
King George III and other important leaders asked Hussey to speak with Irish soldiers and militia in Ireland. These soldiers were unhappy. Hussey listened to their complaints and then spoke up for them, which some Irish leaders did not like.
When he returned to Ireland, Hussey helped to set up Maynooth College. This college was created to train Catholic priests in Ireland. In 1795, he became the very first president of Maynooth College.
Bishop of Waterford and Lismore
In 1797, Thomas Hussey became the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Waterford and Lismore. Even though he had protested earlier about Catholic soldiers having to attend Protestant services, Protestant leaders showed him respect. An armed group of soldiers was present at his special ceremony in Dublin.
In 1797, he wrote an important letter to his priests. In this letter, he strongly disagreed with the government trying to control church rules. He also spoke out against efforts to convert Catholics to Protestantism by setting up certain religious schools in Ireland.
Death and Burial
On July 7, 1803, Hussey officially opened the first monastery and school of Edmund Ignatius Rice in Waterford. This school was at a place called Mount Sion. By this time, Hussey was in his mid-fifties and not in good health.
He then took care of his personal affairs and made his will. His will included plans for supporting Rice's work of educating poor boys in Waterford. This helped make sure that Rice's new religious group would continue. After signing his will on July 10, Hussey went on a short trip to nearby Dunmore East. The next morning, he went for a swim with a friend. Sadly, he had a sudden medical emergency and never woke up.
A Difficult Funeral
Hussey's body was brought back to Waterford for burial. However, his funeral became a scene of conflict. During the procession to the Great Chapel, a group of soldiers, who were returning from a meeting, caused trouble. They bothered the people mourning Hussey and tried to throw his coffin into the River Suir. A fight broke out, and the local police had to step in. They helped get Hussey's body back, and he was finally buried in the Great Chapel, as planned.
A historian named William Edward Hartpole Lecky once said that Hussey was "the ablest English-speaking bishop of his time."
See also
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Waterford and Lismore
