Thomas Heslin (April 17, 1847 – February 22, 1911) was an Irish-born prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as bishop of the Diocese of Natchez in Mississippi from 1889 until his death in 1911.
Thomas Heslin | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Natchez | |
 | |
| Church | Catholic |
| Diocese | Diocese of Natchez |
| Appointed | March 29, 1889 |
| Predecessor | Francis Janssens |
| Successor | John Edward Gunn |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | September 8, 1869 by John Quinlan |
| Consecration | June 18, 1889 by Francis Janssens |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 21m 1845 |
| Died | February 22, 1911 (aged 65) Natchez, Mississippi, US |
| Coat of arms |  |
Biography
editEarly life
editOne of seven children, Thomas Heslin was born on April 17, 1847, in Killoe, County Longford, to Patrick and Catherine (née Hughes) Heslin.[1] Upon the completion of his classical studies in Granard, Ireland, he came to the United States at the invitation of Archbishop Jean-Marie Odin in 1863.[2] Heslin then studied theology and philosophy under the Lazarists at diocesan seminary of New Orleans.[1] Too young to receive ordination, he taught at Jefferson College for several years.[2]
Priesthood
editHeslin was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of St. Louis by Bishop John Quinlan on September 8, 1869.[3] He then served as a curate at the Cathedral of St. Louis for a month, when he was transferred to St. Vincent de Paul Church and later to St. Patrick's Church.[2] From 1874 to 1889, he was pastor of St. Michael's Church in New Orleans.[1]
Bishop of Natchez
editOn March 29, 1889, Heslin was appointed the fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Natchez by Pope Leo XIII.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on June 18, 1889, from Archbishop Francis Janssens, with Bishops Edward Fitzgerald and Anthony Durier serving as co-consecrators.[3] Thomas Heslin died in Natchez, Mississippi, on February 22, 1911, at age 65.
References
edit- ^ a b c Leonard, John William, ed. (1905). Who's Who in America. Chicago: A.N. Marquis & Company Publishers.
- ^ a b c "THE NEW BISHOP OF NATCHEZ". The New York Times. 1889-06-19.
- ^ a b c "Bishop Thomas Heslin". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.