Augustine Van de Vyver

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Augustine Van de Vyver (b. at Haasdonk, East Flanders, Belgium, 1 December 1844; d. at Richmond, Virginia, 16 October 1911) was a Belgian-American Catholic priest, who became the sixth Bishop of Richmond, Virginia.

[edit] Life

His parents were John Ferdinand Van de Vyver and Sophia (De Schepper). He was educated in the city of St. Nicholas, Belgium, and at the American College, Louvain (1867-70). Ordained priest, 24 July, 1870, he served successively as assistant at St. Peter's Cathedral, Richmond, pastor of Harper's Ferry (1875-81), pastor of the cathedral, and vicar-general of the Diocese of Richmond (1881-89). Assigned with him at the cathedral for a time was the Rev. Dennis J. O'Connell, D.D., who was to be his successor in the See of Richmond.

Father Van de Vyver's appointment by Rome to succeed Bishop Keane as Bishop of Richmond, 16 July, 1889, was furthered by a petition of the priests of the diocese. He was consecrated, 20 October, 1889, having as consecrating prelates his two predecessors, His Eminence James Cardinal Gibbons and Bishop J. J. Keane (afterwards archbishop), then rector of the Catholic University, Washington. During Bishop Van de Vyver's administration Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Fortune Ryan of New York donated the Sacred Heart Cathedral, the former the building, the latter the furnishings, at a cost of nearly a half million dollars. Diomede Falconio laid the corner stone of the new cathedral, 4 June, 1903, and consecrated the same, 29 November, 1906. In a quasi-synod held by the bishop, 12 November, 1907, new laws were enacted to meet the needs of the diocese.

Bishop Van de Vyver made several attempts to resign his see. The first, in 1903, and the second, in 1905, were frustrated by the Church authorities, priest and people being ignorant of his intention. The bishop's third and almost successful attempt to resign (1908) came to the knowledge of the people, who held a mass meeting. The efforts of clergy and laity caused the final withdrawal of his resignation.

After a farewell visit to his relatives in Belgium, followed by two weeks of illness on his return, and having calmly prepared himself by the reception of the last sacraments, Bishop Van de Vyver died. He was buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Richmond, which he as vicar-general had purchased.

[edit] References

Magri, The Catholic Church in the City and Diocese of Richmond (Richmond, 1896);
The Catholic Church in the United States of America (New York, 1909);
Shea, Our Faith and its Defenders (New York, 1894);
Catholic Directory (Milwaukee and New York, 1871-1911);
Diocesan documents and newspaper files (Richmond, 1870-1911).