Thomas Joseph Carr

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Thomas Joseph Carr (28 May 1839 – 6 May 1917), was the second Roman Catholic archbishop of Melbourne, Australia.

Thomas Carr was born near Moylough, Galway, Ireland, on 28 May 1839. He was educated at St Jarlath's College, Tuam, and at Maynooth, where he did a brilliant course. He was ordained on 19 May 1866, was a curate for six years, and was then appointed dean of the Dumboyne establishment of Maynooth. In 1874 he was elected to the vacant chair of theology and in 1880 he became vice-president of Maynooth and editor of the Irish Ecclesiastical Record, which he conducted with success. In 1883 he was made bishop of Galway, was consecrated on 26 August of that year, and three years later, almost to the day, was appointed archbishop of Melbourne. He arrived in Melbourne on 11 June 1887.

One of the first problems brought before Carr was the question of education. The education act of the period had been framed for the purpose of training children in State schools without regard to sectarian differences. The new archbishop lost no time in urging that there could be no true education without a religions basis, and that it was not just that his co-religionists should be taxed to support a system of education that their conscience would not permit them to use. During his episcopacy of almost 30 years there was no wavering from this position, but no government could be prevailed on to take up this cause. In the circumstances it was felt that every effort would have to be made to extend the Catholic schools, and in the first 20 years considerable progress was made. Between 1887 and 1907 the number of primary schools increased from 75 to 108, and the pupils from 12,000 to 24,000. Even greater progress followed, as by 1916 the number of students was nearing 30,000 and in addition there were 37 colleges and high schools with 4751 pupils. The founding of an affiliated college at the University of Melbourne was another project very near to Carr's heart. He saw the foundation stone of Newman College laid, but did not live to see its completion.

Another important work was the completion of St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne. When Carr came work had been in progress for some 30 years but much remained to be done. In March 1890 he brought the question before a small gathering and almost at once £10,000 was promised. At a general meeting held on 20 April this amount was doubled. Soon after a contract for £42,000 was signed, but the bursting of the land boom and the failure of many financial institutions made it impossible for any of the subscribers to carry out their promises. The archbishop travelled the country and met with a ready response, a cathedral fair was held at the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne, which in four weeks yielded £11,000, and by one way and another the crisis was surmounted. The building, save one tower and the spires, was completed free from debt, and on 31 October 1897 was solemnly and impressively consecrated.

Between 1893 and 1897 Carr on more than one occasion was drawn into controversy with representatives of the Church of England and the Rev John Laurence Rentoul of the Presbyterian Church. He proved himself to be a redoubtable controversialist, conducting his case with courtesy, dignity and ability. It was his custom to take counsel with others before entering on the battle, but he had no lack of personal equipment in carrying it on. By a man of his nature, however, controversy was carried on as a duty, it was in no way a pleasure to him. Unfortunately, when he allowed himself to be nominated for a seat on the council of the University of Melbourne, sufficient prejudice was left from old unhappy far off things to prevent his election. In April 1898 Carr visited Europe and returned in July 1899. In that year he took over the publication of the monthly journal Austral Light, and in 1907 was begun the long series of tracts published by the Australian Catholic Truth Society. To this society was entrusted the collection and publication of Carr's writings on controversial subjects, which appeared in 1907 in a volume of about 800 pages, under the title Lectures and Replies. In August 1908 he visited Rome and not long after his return he asked that a coadjutor might be appointed. In 1913 Dr Daniel Mannix was given this position and thenceforth Carr took less part in the direction of the affairs of the diocese. He died at Melbourne on 6 May 1917.

Carr was slightly over medium height and in his later years was heavily built. Tom Roberts the artist said he had the "typical head of a prelate". He was kindly and had great charity of mind. Roberts, who was not of his church, records that "speaking of the frailties and sins of people, he said he had never met a thoroughly bad man or woman... He's a man you could tell anything to-except something trumpery". His kindness was especially evident in his dealings with children, the young priesthood, and nuns entering on their vocation. His powers as a controversialist and scholar have been already referred to, and as an administrator he was strong and able. He thoroughly realized his responsibilities and he could combine enthusiasm with sagacity and prudence. He had fully earned the love of his own people, he also earned the respect of his opponents, and his example did much to allay the bitterness of sectarian feeling that had previously been rife in Australia.

St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne, is perhaps his most spectacular achievement, but there are literally dozens of markers to Thomas Carr’s lasting contribution to the very fabric of life in the state of Victoria. Not least the parish of Werribee, Victoria, which he established in 1906.

But it was in the field of education that Thomas Carr’s achievements were particularly outstanding. He understood full well the importance of good schools and the value of good education. Thomas Carr College in Werribee is named after him.