Charles Henry Brent
Encyclopedia
Charles Henry Brent was an American
Episcopal bishop
who served in the Philippines
and western New York
.
Born in Canada
and educated at Trinity College, Toronto, Brent was originally stationed at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in the South End of Boston, where he served as an associate priest. In 1901, after the Philippines
were acquired by the United States during the Spanish-American War
, the Episcopal Church appointed Brent as Missionary Bishop of the Philippines and arrived on the same ship with the American Governor, William H. Taft. Brent focused on non-Christians, including the Igorots in Luzon
, the Muslim
s, and the Chinese in Manila
. He served on several international commissions to stop narcotic trafficking. During World War I
, he was the Senior Chaplain for the American Armed Forces in Europe.
He declined three elections to bishoprics in the United States--twice as bishop-elect of the Diocese of Washington
in 1908 and also as bishop-elect of the Diocese of New Jersey
in 1914--in order to continue his work in the Philippines, but in 1918, he accepted the position of Bishop of Western New York
. He helped to organize the first World Conference on Faith and Order, which met in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1927, and died in Lausanne in 1929. March 27 is the commemoration of Brent in the Episcopal Church. However, as this commemoration commonly falls during Lent or Easter Week in most years, the alternative date of August 25 (his arrival in the Philippines) was recently adopted by the Central Philippines diocese in the Episcopal Church in the Philippines
at its 2008 Diocesan Convention.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Episcopal bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
who served in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
and western New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Born in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and educated at Trinity College, Toronto, Brent was originally stationed at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in the South End of Boston, where he served as an associate priest. In 1901, after the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
were acquired by the United States during the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
, the Episcopal Church appointed Brent as Missionary Bishop of the Philippines and arrived on the same ship with the American Governor, William H. Taft. Brent focused on non-Christians, including the Igorots in Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
, the Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
s, and the Chinese in Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
. He served on several international commissions to stop narcotic trafficking. During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, he was the Senior Chaplain for the American Armed Forces in Europe.
He declined three elections to bishoprics in the United States--twice as bishop-elect of the Diocese of Washington
Episcopal Diocese of Washington
The Episcopal Diocese of Washington is the ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Episcopal Bishop of Washington in the United States. The territory comprises the District of Columbia and the Maryland counties of Charles, St. Mary's, Prince George's and Montgomery...
in 1908 and also as bishop-elect of the Diocese of New Jersey
Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey
The Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey forms part of Province II of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. It is made up of the southern and central New Jersey counties of Union, Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon, Mercer, Monmouth, Ocean, Burlington, Camden, Atlantic, Gloucester, Salem,...
in 1914--in order to continue his work in the Philippines, but in 1918, he accepted the position of Bishop of Western New York
Episcopal Diocese of Western New York
The Episcopal Diocese of Western New York, is the diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America with jurisdiction over the counties of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming in western New York. It is in Province 2 and its cathedral, St. Paul's...
. He helped to organize the first World Conference on Faith and Order, which met in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1927, and died in Lausanne in 1929. March 27 is the commemoration of Brent in the Episcopal Church. However, as this commemoration commonly falls during Lent or Easter Week in most years, the alternative date of August 25 (his arrival in the Philippines) was recently adopted by the Central Philippines diocese in the Episcopal Church in the Philippines
Episcopal Church in the Philippines
The Episcopal Church in the Philippines is a province of the Anglican Communion first established by the Episcopal Church. It was founded in 1901 by American missionaries led by Charles Henry Brent, who served as the first resident bishop. It became an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion...
at its 2008 Diocesan Convention.
External links
- Documents by and about Brent from Project CanterburyProject CanterburyProject Canterbury is an online archive of material related to the history of Anglicanism. It was founded by Richard Mammana, Jr. in 1999, and is hosted by the non-profit Society of Archbishop Justus...
- Charles Henry Brent profile
- “Career of the Rev. C. H. Brent” in the New York Times
- ""Filipinos Do Not Like Americans” says Bishop Brent" in the New York Times