| The Right Reverend George Witham |
|
|---|---|
| Vicar Apostolic of the Northern District | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Appointed | 6 April 1716 |
| Reign ended | 16 April 1725 |
| Predecessor | James Smith |
| Successor | Thomas Dominic Williams |
| Other posts | Titular Bishop of Marcopolis |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 15 April 1703 by Cardinal Marcantonio Barbarigo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 May 1655 Cliffe Hall, Cliffe, near Darlington |
| Died | 16 April 1725 (aged 69) Cliffe Hall, Cliffe, near Darlington |
| Buried | St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, Mansfield |
| Nationality | English |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Parents | George Witham and Grace (or Catherine) Witham (née Wyvill) |
| Previous post | Vicar Apostolic of the Midland District |
George Witham (1655–1725) was an English Roman Catholic bishop who served firstly as the Vicar Apostolic of the Midland District, then the Vicar Apostolic of the Northern District.[1]
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He was born at Cliffe Hall, Cliffe, near Darlington on 16 May 1655,[1] the son of George Witham and Grace (or Catherine) Witham (née Wyvill). He had six brothers, three whom were also ordained to the priesthood. Thomas was Superior of the English Seminary in Paris, Robert was Preident of English College, Douai, and Anthony was a Douai priest, who fell into ill heath and retired to serve the convent of the Poor Clares in Rouen.[2]
In 1694, Witham was sent to Rome by bishops Leyburn, Giffard and Smith. In their letter to the Propaganda Fide, dated 20 October 1694, they commissioned Witham to serve as their agent for English matters with the authorities in Rome. He was also recommended to the Propaganda Fide by a letter from James II & VII, the exiled king of England and Scotland. Witham remained in his post in Rome until nominated to a Vicariate in 1702.[3]
It had been intended for Witham to succeed as the Vicar Apostolic of the London District,[4] following the death of John Leyburn in 1702.[5] He was consecrated the Titular Bishop of Marcopolis on 15 April 1703 by Cardinal Marcantonio Barbarigo, Bishop of Montefiascone.[1][6] On his return to England, it had been determined instead for Bonaventure Giffard to transfer from the Midland District to the London District on 14 March 1703.[7] Leaving Witham appointed in charge of the Midland District on 12 August 1702.[1]
After fourteen years, he transferred to the Northern District on 6 April 1716. Due to his increasing age and various infirmities he wrote to Rome on 26 March 1723 to request for a coadjutor. He suggested Edward Dicconson for the post, however, the Holy See did not comply to the request.[8]
He died in office at Cliffe Hall on 16 April 1725, aged 69,[1] and was buried at St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, Mansfield.[8]
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Bonaventure Giffard |
Vicar Apostolic of the Midland District 1702–1716 |
Succeeded by John Talbot Stonor |
| Preceded by James Smith |
Vicar Apostolic of the Northern District 1716–1725 |
Succeeded by Thomas Dominic Williams |