William Conway (cardinal) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids His Eminence William Conway
Cardinal, Archbishop of Armagh Primate of All Ireland
Church	Catholic Church
Archdiocese	Armagh
Appointed	1963
Reign ended	1977
Predecessor	John D'Alton
Successor	Tomás Ó Fiaich
Orders
Ordination	20 June 1937 (priest)
Consecration	27 July 1958
Created Cardinal	22 February 1965
Rank	Cardinal priest
Personal details
Birth name	William John Conway
Born	22 January 1913 Belfast, Ireland
Died	17 April 1977 (aged 64) Armagh, Northern Ireland
Buried	St Patrick's Cathedral Cemetery, Armagh
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Parents	Patrick Conway and Annie Conway (née Donnolly)
Previous post	Titular Bishop of Neve and Auxiliary of Armagh (1958–1963)
Education	St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School, Belfast
Alma mater	Queen's University Belfast St Patrick's College, Maynooth Pontifical Gregorian University (DD)
Motto	Praedicare Evangelium

William John Cardinal Conway (born January 22, 1913 – died April 17, 1977) was an important leader in the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland. He served as the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland from 1963 until he passed away. In 1965, he was given the high rank of Cardinal. Cardinal Conway was the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland during a time of big changes, known as the Second Vatican Council.

Early Life and Education

William Conway was born in Belfast, Ireland, on January 22, 1913. He was the oldest of nine children in his family. His father, Patrick Joseph Conway, was a house painter. His mother, Annie Donnolly, came from Carlingford.

William went to several schools and universities. He studied at Boundary Street Primary School and St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School, Belfast. Later, he attended Queen's University Belfast, St Patrick's College, Maynooth, and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He earned a special degree in canon law, which is the law of the Church. He did so well that he tied for a gold medal.

Becoming a Priest

William Conway became a priest for the Diocese of Down and Connor on June 20, 1937. After more studies in Rome, he returned to Ireland. From 1941 to 1942, he taught Latin and English at St. Malachy's College in Belfast.

In 1942, he became a professor at Maynooth, teaching Moral Theology and later canon law. He held these teaching jobs until 1958. He also served as the vice-president of the college for a year. Two of his younger brothers also became priests.

Leading the Church: Bishop and Archbishop

On May 31, 1958, William Conway was appointed a Titular Bishop and an Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh. This meant he would help the main Archbishop. He was officially made a bishop on July 27, 1958, at St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh. At 45 years old, he was the youngest bishop in Ireland.

After the death of the previous Archbishop, Cardinal John D'Alton, William Conway was chosen to be the new Archbishop of Armagh. He also became the Primate of All Ireland on September 9, 1963. This made him the most senior Catholic leader in the country.

Cardinal Conway and the Second Vatican Council

Cardinal Conway played a very important role in the Second Vatican Council. This was a major meeting of Catholic leaders from all over the world. It brought many changes to the Church. He was a key participant from Ireland.

On February 22, 1965, Pope Paul VI made him a Cardinal-Priest of San Patrizio. This is a very high honor in the Catholic Church.

Changes After the Council

After the Second Vatican Council, Cardinal Conway worked hard to put the new rules into practice. Ireland was one of the first countries to start using local languages in the Mass. On March 7, 1965, Cardinal Conway celebrated Mass in Irish.

He also reorganized the Irish Bishops Conference. He created new groups to focus on things like justice, peace, and social welfare.

Cardinal Conway During the Troubles

Cardinal Conway led the Irish Church when a difficult period called the Troubles began. As someone from Belfast, he understood the challenges. He often spoke out about the violence.

In September 1971, after a new policy called internment began, he and other bishops spoke out. They criticized the policy and also strongly condemned the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA). He famously asked, "Who in their sane senses wants to bomb a million Protestants into a united Ireland?"

Styles of William Conway
Reference style	His Eminence
Spoken style	Your Eminence
Informal style	Cardinal
See	Armagh

He also spoke out against violence from other groups. He often attended funerals for people who had been harmed. In May 1974, after a couple was killed, he said, "I have looked upon coffins of seven utterly innocent people who have been ruthlessly cut down." He strongly condemned all acts of violence against innocent people.

Working with Other Churches

Cardinal Conway wanted to have good relationships with leaders of other Christian churches in Ireland. He was good friends with George Simms, who was the Church of Ireland Archbishop in Armagh.

In 1973, Archbishop Simms invited the Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael Ramsey, to visit. Cardinal Conway met with Archbishop Ramsey. Conway believed that church leaders should work together to promote peace.

In 1975, Cardinal Conway met with Harold Wilson, who was the British Prime Minister. They discussed efforts to bring peace to Northern Ireland. The Prime Minister said that the church leaders had "planted a fragile tree... in the desert of terrorism." He believed they all needed to help this "tree" of peace grow.

Claudy Bombings and Church Response

On July 31, 1972, there were terrible car bomb attacks in the village of Claudy. Nine people died, including three children.

A report in 2010 looked into these events. It mentioned that a local priest, Father James Chesney, was moved by the Church to a different area. This happened after discussions between Cardinal Conway and William Whitelaw, who was a British government official. The Chief Constable of the police also knew about this move. Seán Cardinal Brady, a later Cardinal, said that the wider Church was not trying to hide anything. He accepted the report's findings.

Death and Legacy

Cardinal Conway worked very hard in his many roles. He became ill with cancer in late 1976. He passed away on April 17, 1977, at the age of 64.

His funeral was held at St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh, where he is buried. After his death, many people spoke about his leadership. They remembered him as a great church leader who showed courage and patience during a very difficult time in Ireland. He always spoke out against violence and promoted peace and understanding.

He was succeeded as Archbishop of Armagh by Tomás Ó Fiaich.

Episcopal Succession