Henry Conwell (1745—April 22, 1842) was a Roman Catholic clergyman. A priest in Ireland for over forty years, he served as Bishop of Philadelphia between Henry Conwell was born in Moneymore, County Londonderry, and studied at the Irish College in Paris, where his family had founded a burse.[1] He was ordained to the priesthood in November 1776.[2] He exercised the ministry in his native land for forty-four years, during which time he served as parish priest of Dungannon and vicar general of the Archdiocese of Armagh.[1]
Following the death of Bishop Michael Francis Egan in 1814, the Diocese of Philadelphia in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania was offered successively to Fathers Ambrose Maréchal, John Baptist Mary David, and Louis de Barth, but all three clergymen declined the appointment due to the ongoing conflict with the lay trustees of St. Mary's Church.[1] On November 26, 1819, the Holy See appointed Conwell as Bishop of Philadelphia.[2] At age 74, Conwell accepted the heavy task despite his advanced age. He was consecrated in London by Bishop William Poynter on August 24, 1820.[2]
He arrived in Philadelphia on December 2, 1820.[1] The seeds of future troubles had been sown during the vacancy, when the administrator, without demanding credentials, stationed Father William Hogan at St. Mary's. Hogan had so ingratiated himself with the board of trustees that when Conwell revoked his faculties on December 12, a schism ensued which lasted for many years.[1] He subsequently re-appointed Father William Vincent Harold, whom his predecessor had dismissed, as vicar general.[1] This decision increased the tension and mistrust of the trustees, and on October 9, 1826, Conwell capitulated to the trustees, yielding to them the right of determining salaries and of vetoing his appointments.[1] The Holy See, highly displeased at this surrender of episcopal rights, summoned Conwell to Rome and forbid him to return to his diocese.[1]
However, Conwell did return to Philadelphia and received permission to perform episcopal functions, without interfering in matters of administration.[1] He received Francis Patrick Kenrick as his coadjutor bishop in 1830, and spent his remaining years in seclusion and prayer.[1] He died at age 94.
Conwell-Egan Catholic High School in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania is named in his and his predecessor's honor.
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Michael Francis Egan |
Bishop of Philadelphia 1819–1842 |
Succeeded by Francis Patrick Kenrick |