Augustine Van de Vyver
| Augustine Van de Vyver | |
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| Born | December 1, 1844 |
| Died | October 16, 1911 (aged 66) |
Augustine Van de Vyver (1 December 1844 in Haasdonk, East Flanders, Belgium – 16 October 1911 in Richmond, Virginia, United States) was a Belgian-American Catholic priest, who became the sixth Bishop of Richmond, Virginia.
His parents were John Ferdinand Van de Vyver and Sophia (De Schepper). He was educated in the city of Sint-Niklaas, and at the American College, Louvain (1867-70). Ordained priest, 24 July, 1870, he served successively as assistant at St. Peter's Cathedral, Richmond, pastor of Harper's Ferry(1875-81), pastor of the cathedral, and vicar-general of the Diocese of Richmond (1881-89). Assigned with him at the cathedral for a time was Dennis J. O'Connell, who was to be his successor in the See of Richmond.
Father Van de Vyver's appointment by Rome to succeed Bishop Keane as Bishop of Richmond, 16 July, 1889, was furthered by a petition of the priests of the diocese. He was consecrated, 20 October, 1889, having as consecrating prelates his two predecessors, Cardinal James Gibbons and Bishop J. J. Keane (afterwards archbishop), then rector of the Catholic University, Washington. During Bishop Van de Vyver's administration Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Fortune Ryan of New York donated the Sacred Heart Cathedral, the former the building, the latter the furnishings, at a cost of nearly a half million dollars. Diomede Falconio laid the cornerstone of the new cathedral, 4 June, 1903, and consecrated the same, 29 November, 1906. In a quasi-synod held by the bishop, 12 November, 1907, new laws were enacted to meet the needs of the diocese.
Bishop Van de Vyver made several attempts to resign his see. The first, in 1903, and the second, in 1905, were frustrated by the Church authorities, priest and people being ignorant of his intention. The bishop's third and almost successful attempt to resign (1908) came to the knowledge of the people, who held a mass meeting. The efforts of clergy and laity caused the final withdrawal of his resignation.
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