Benjamin T. Onderdonk
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The Right Reverend Benjamin Treadwell Onderdonk |
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|---|---|
| 4th Bishop of New York | |
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| Church | Episcopal Church |
| Diocese | New York |
| In office | 1830-1861 |
| Predecessor | John Henry Hobart |
| Successor | Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright (bishop) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
July 15, 1791 New York City, New York, United States |
| Died | April 30, 1861 (aged 69) New York City, New York, United States |
| Buried | Trinity Church (Manhattan) |
| Denomination | Episcopalianism |
| Spouse | Eliza Handy |
| Alma mater | Columbia College |
Benjamin Treadwell Onderdonk (July 15, 1791, New York City – April 30, 1861, New York) was the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York from 1830–1861.
A member of a prominent Hempstead family, Onderdonk graduated from Columbia College, now Columbia University, where he was president of the Philolexian Society. He studied theology under Bishop John Henry Hobart and was a member of the Episcopal Theological Society between 1810 and 1811. He married Eliza Handy.
He presided over the Diocese during a period of expansion and was instrumental in the creation of numerous parishes, but is best remembered as one of the most controversial figures in the history of the Episcopal Church of the United States.
A strong supporter of the Oxford Movement, Onderdonk became embroiled in a controversy surrounding the ordination of Arthur Carey. Carey, a candidate for the ministry acknowledged even by his detractors as being of superb intellect and dedication, and also of an excellent Christian character, was like Onderdonk greatly influenced by the Oxford Movement.
As his ordination approached, Carey was examined by the Rev. Dr. Hugh Smith, Rector of St. Peter’s, New York (where he had been assigned). During this interview, Carey professed views which were sympathetic to Roman Catholicism, and thereafter Smith and some other clergy and laymen opposed Carey's ordination. At Smith’s insistence, Onderdonk conducted an inquiry, which ultimately found Carey to be suitable for ordination, which was celebrated in 1843. The dispute did not end there, and a number of letters were published accusing Carey and ultimately Onderdonk of being overly sympathetic to Roman Catholicism. This controversy spread beyond the Diocese, and at least one other Diocese, that of Ohio, adopted a resolution condemning Onderdonk.
As the Carey controversy was ongoing, William Meade, Bishop of Virginia (later the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the Confederate States of America) received a number of affidavits of women who alleged that Onderdonk had made improper advances towards them and had engaged in improper touching. This eventually resulted in a trial before the House of Bishops. Throughout, Onderdonk maintained his innocence. By all accounts the trial was a bitter affair, with Onderdonk making accusations of a secret conspiracy to remove him due to his theological views by falsifying charges and Meade accusing the Onderdonk faction of witness intimidation. The trial resulted in the suspension of Onderdonk.
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