The Right Reverend Benedict Joseph Fenwick, S.J. |
|
---|---|
Bishop of Boston | |
See | Boston |
Installed | December 3, 1825 |
Term ended | August 11, 1846 |
Predecessor | Jean-Louis Lefebvre de Cheverus |
Successor | John Bernard Fitzpatrick |
Orders | |
Ordination | June 11, 1808 by Bishop Leonard Neale, S.J. |
Consecration | November 1, 1825 by Archbishop Ambrose Maréchal, S.S. |
Personal details | |
Born |
Leonardtown, Maryland, United States |
September 3, 1782
Died | August 11, 1846 Boston, Massachusetts, United States |
(aged 63)
Nationality | American |
Denomination | Catholic Church |
Parents | George Fenwick & Margaret Medley |
Alma mater | Georgetown College, St. Mary's Seminary |
Signature |
Benedict Joseph Fenwick, S.J. (September 3, 1782 – August 11, 1846), was an American bishop of the Catholic Church. A Jesuit, he served as Bishop of Boston from 1825 until his death in 1846.
Benedict Fenwick was born in Leonardtown, Maryland, to George and Margaret (née Medley) Fenwick. His ancestors were originally from Northumberland in North East England. Benedict's great-great-great grandfather, Cuthbert Fenwick, emigrated to America in 1633 aboard the Ark and the Dove, and was one of the original Catholic settlers of Maryland.
Fenwick entered Georgetown College in 1793, and graduated with high honors. He afterwards served as a professor at Georgetown before deciding to study for the priesthood, entering St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore in 1805. Following the restoration of the Society of Jesus, he entered its novitiate in 1806.
Fenwick was ordained a priest by his fellow Jesuit, Bishop Leonard Neale on March 12, 1808. He then accompanied Father Anthony Kohlmann to New York City, where he remained for nine years. During that time, he served as pastor of St. Peter's Church (1815–16) and Vicar General of the Diocese of New York (1816–17). He also helped erect the original St. Patrick's Cathedral and served as director of the New York Literary Institution, founded by Kohlmann.