| Right Rev. Richard Pius Miles, O.P. | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Nashville | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| See | Nashville |
| In Office | September 16, 1838—February 17, 1860 |
| Predecessor | none |
| Successor | James Whelan |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | September 21, 1816 |
| Consecration | September 16, 1838 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 17, 1791 Prince George's County, Maryland |
| Died | February 17, 1860 (aged 68) Nashville, Tennessee |
Richard Pius Miles, O.P. (May 17, 1791—February 17, 1860) was the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Nashville (1838–1860).
Miles was born in Prince George's County, Maryland, and moved to Kentucky with his parents at age 5.[1] After joining the Dominican Order in October 1806,[1] he was ordained a priest on September 21, 1816.[2] He then worked as a missionary in Ohio and Kentucky for 22 years, also founding a community of Dominican nuns and a school under the Sisters of Charity.[3]
On July 28, 1837, Miles was appointed the first Bishop of the newly-erected Diocese of Nashville, Tennessee, by Pope Gregory XVI.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on September 16, 1838 from Bishop Joseph Rosati, C.M., with Bishops Simon Bruté and Guy Ignatius Chabrat, P.S.S., serving as co-consecrators.[2] During his tenure, he dedicated a cathedral in 1848, ordained the first priest in Tennessee, and established a seminary and a hospital.[1][3]
Miles later died at age 68. At the time of his death, the diocese comprised 12,000 Catholics, 13 priests, 14 churches, 6 chapels, and 13 missions.[1]
| Preceded by none |
Bishop of Nashville 1838–1860 |
Succeeded by James Whelan |