Thomas Joseph Carr
Encyclopedia
Thomas Joseph Carr was the second Roman Catholic archbishop
of Melbourne
, Australia
.
, Galway
, Ireland
, and educated at St Jarlath's College, Tuam
, and at St Patrick's College, Maynooth
. He was ordained on 19 May 1866, was a curate for six years, and was then appointed dean of the Dunboyne
establishment of Maynooth. In 1874 he was elected to the vacant chair of theology
and in 1880 he became vice-president of Maynooth and editor of the Irish Ecclesiastical Record, which he conducted with success. In 1883 he was made bishop of Galway
, was consecrated on 26 August of that year, and three years later, almost to the day, was appointed archbishop of Melbourne
. He arrived in Melbourne on 11 June 1887.
was another project very near to Carr's heart. He saw the foundation stone of Newman College
laid, but did not live to see its completion.
Another important work was the completion of St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne
. When Carr came work had been in progress for some 30 years but much remained to be done. In March 1890 he brought the question before a small gathering and almost at once £10,000 was promised. At a general meeting held on 20 April 1890 this amount was doubled. Soon after a contract for £42,000 was signed, but the bursting of the land boom and the failure of many financial institutions made it impossible for any of the subscribers to carry out their promises. The archbishop travelled the country and met with a ready response, a cathedral fair was held at the Royal Exhibition Building
, Melbourne, which in four weeks yielded £11,000, and by one way and another the crisis was surmounted. The building, save one tower and the spires, was completed free from debt, and on 31 October 1897 was solemnly and impressively consecrated.
Between 1893 and 1897 Carr on more than one occasion was drawn into controversy with representatives of the Church of England
and the Rev. John Laurence Rentoul
of the Presbyterian Church. He conducted his case with courtesy, dignity and ability. When he allowed himself to be nominated for a seat on the council of the University of Melbourne
, sufficient prejudice was left from old unhappy far off things to prevent his election. In April 1898 Carr visited Europe
and returned in July 1899. In that year he took over the publication of the monthly journal Austral Light, and in 1907 was begun the long series of tracts published by the Australian Catholic Truth Society. To this society was entrusted the collection and publication of Carr's writings on controversial subjects, which appeared in 1907 in a volume of about 800 pages, under the title Lectures and Replies. In August 1908 he visited Rome
and not long after his return he asked that a coadjutor might be appointed. In 1913, Daniel Mannix
was given this position and thenceforth Carr took less part in the direction of the affairs of the diocese.
Archbishop Carr died at Melbourne on 6 May 1917 and was buried in St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne.
, the artist, said he had the "typical head of a prelate". Roberts, who was not of his church, records that "speaking of the frailties and sins of people, he said he had never met a thoroughly bad man or woman... He's a man you could tell anything to-except something trumpery".
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Early life
Carr was born near MoyloughMoylough
Moylough is a small rural village located in County Galway in Ireland. It is located on the N63 national secondary road , and is served also by the R328 and R364 regional roads. It is 50 km from Galway, 30 km from Roscommon, and 5 km northwest of Mountbellew...
, Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, and educated at St Jarlath's College, Tuam
Tuam
Tuam is a town in County Galway, Ireland. The name is pronounced choo-um . It is situated west of the midlands of Ireland, and north of Galway city.-History:...
, and at St Patrick's College, Maynooth
St Patrick's College, Maynooth
St Patrick's College, Maynooth is the "National Seminary for Ireland" , and a Pontifical University, located in the village of Maynooth, 15 miles from Dublin, Ireland. The college and seminary are often referred to as Maynooth College. The college was officially established as the Royal College...
. He was ordained on 19 May 1866, was a curate for six years, and was then appointed dean of the Dunboyne
Dunboyne
Dunboyne is a town in County Meath in Ireland. For the most part, it is a dormitory town for the city of Dublin.-Location:Dunboyne is centred on the crossroads formed by the R156 regional road and the old Maynooth Road ....
establishment of Maynooth. In 1874 he was elected to the vacant chair of theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
and in 1880 he became vice-president of Maynooth and editor of the Irish Ecclesiastical Record, which he conducted with success. In 1883 he was made bishop of Galway
Roman Catholic Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora is a Roman Catholic diocese in the western part of Ireland. It is in the Metropolitan Province of Tuam and is subject to the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Tuam...
, was consecrated on 26 August of that year, and three years later, almost to the day, was appointed archbishop of Melbourne
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne is a Latin rite metropolitan archdiocese, located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Erected initially in 1847 as the Diocese of Melbourne, a suffragan diocese of Archdiocese of Sydney, the diocese was elevated in 1874 as an archdiocese of the...
. He arrived in Melbourne on 11 June 1887.
Archbishop of Melbourne
One of the first problems brought before Carr was the question of education. The education act of the period had been framed for the purpose of training children in State schools without regard to sectarian differences. The new archbishop lost no time in urging that there could be no true education without a religions basis, and that it was not just that his co-religionists should be taxed to support a system of education that their conscience would not permit them to use. During his episcopacy of almost 30 years there was no wavering from this position, but no government could be prevailed on to take up this cause. In the circumstances it was felt that every effort would have to be made to extend the Catholic schools, and in the first 20 years considerable progress was made. Between 1887 and 1907 the number of primary schools increased from 75 to 108, and the pupils from 12,000 to 24,000. Even greater progress followed, as by 1916 the number of students was nearing 30,000 and in addition there were 37 colleges and high schools with 4751 pupils. The founding of an affiliated college at the University of MelbourneUniversity of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
was another project very near to Carr's heart. He saw the foundation stone of Newman College
Newman College (University of Melbourne)
Newman College is a Roman Catholic, co-educational residential college affiliated with the University of Melbourne. During the university year it houses about 235 undergraduate students and about 55 postgraduate students and tutors...
laid, but did not live to see its completion.
Another important work was the completion of St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne
St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne
St Patrick's Cathedral is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia, and seat of its archbishop, currently Denis J. Hart. The building is known internationally as a leading example of the Gothic Revival style of architecture.In 1974 Pope Paul VI...
. When Carr came work had been in progress for some 30 years but much remained to be done. In March 1890 he brought the question before a small gathering and almost at once £10,000 was promised. At a general meeting held on 20 April 1890 this amount was doubled. Soon after a contract for £42,000 was signed, but the bursting of the land boom and the failure of many financial institutions made it impossible for any of the subscribers to carry out their promises. The archbishop travelled the country and met with a ready response, a cathedral fair was held at the Royal Exhibition Building
Royal Exhibition Building
The Royal Exhibition Building is a World Heritage Site-listed building in Melbourne, Australia, completed in 1880. It is located at 9 Nicholson Street in the Carlton Gardens, flanked by Victoria, Nicholson, Carlton and Rathdowne Streets, at the north-eastern edge of the central business district...
, Melbourne, which in four weeks yielded £11,000, and by one way and another the crisis was surmounted. The building, save one tower and the spires, was completed free from debt, and on 31 October 1897 was solemnly and impressively consecrated.
Between 1893 and 1897 Carr on more than one occasion was drawn into controversy with representatives of the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
and the Rev. John Laurence Rentoul
John Laurence Rentoul
John Laurence Rentoul , was a member of the Presbyterian clergy and a poet.-Early life:John Laurence Rentoul was born in Garvagh, County Londonderry, Ireland, fourth son of the Reverend James Buchan Rentoul, D.D. and his wife Sarah, née Wilson. He was educated at Queen's College, Belfast, where he...
of the Presbyterian Church. He conducted his case with courtesy, dignity and ability. When he allowed himself to be nominated for a seat on the council of the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
, sufficient prejudice was left from old unhappy far off things to prevent his election. In April 1898 Carr visited Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and returned in July 1899. In that year he took over the publication of the monthly journal Austral Light, and in 1907 was begun the long series of tracts published by the Australian Catholic Truth Society. To this society was entrusted the collection and publication of Carr's writings on controversial subjects, which appeared in 1907 in a volume of about 800 pages, under the title Lectures and Replies. In August 1908 he visited Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
and not long after his return he asked that a coadjutor might be appointed. In 1913, Daniel Mannix
Daniel Mannix
Daniel Mannix was an Irish-born Australian Catholic bishop. Mannix was the Archbishop of Melbourne for 46 years and one of the most influential public figures in 20th century Australia....
was given this position and thenceforth Carr took less part in the direction of the affairs of the diocese.
Archbishop Carr died at Melbourne on 6 May 1917 and was buried in St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne.
Legacy
Carr was slightly over medium height and in his later years was heavily built. Tom RobertsTom Roberts
Thomas William Roberts , usually known simply as Tom, was a prominent Australian artist and a key member of the Heidelberg School.-Life:...
, the artist, said he had the "typical head of a prelate". Roberts, who was not of his church, records that "speaking of the frailties and sins of people, he said he had never met a thoroughly bad man or woman... He's a man you could tell anything to-except something trumpery".
Legacies
- St. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne was his largest accomplishment, but there are many other markers to Carr’s lasting contributions, including the parish of Werribee, VictoriaWerribee, VictoriaWerribee is a city in Melbourne, Australia, 32 km south-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Wyndham. At the 2006 Census, Werribee had a population of 36,641. Statistically, Werribee is considered part of Greater Melbourne.Werribee is...
, which he established in 1906.
- Thomas Carr CollegeThomas Carr CollegeThomas Carr College is a Roman Catholic, co-educational day school located in Tarneit in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is named after Thomas Joseph Carr, the second catholic archbishop of Melbourne. In 2006, the principal since the college's founding, Mr...
, Tarneit.
External links
- Thomas Joseph Carr entry in Catholic Hierarchy.
- Image of Thomas Joseph Carr at the State Library of Victoria.
- History of Chaplaincy in the Australian Defence Force, 1901 to 1945
- St Patrick’s Cathedral The Archbishops of Melbourne by Dean W.J. McCarthy
- Thomas Carr College, Werribee
- Thomas Carr Centre, Archbishopric of Melbourne