Bartholomew J. Eustace

Bartholomew Joseph Eustace (October 9, 1887 – December 11, 1956) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as the first bishop of the Diocese of Camden in New Jersey from 1938 until his death.

Biography

Early life Bartholomew Eustace was born October 9, 1887, on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in New York City. He was the elder of two sons of Bartholomew Ambrose and Elizabeth (née Nolan) Eustace, both natives of Ireland.

Eustace graduated from St. Francis Xavier College in 1910. He then began his studies for the priesthood at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, New York. He won a scholarship to Rome, where he completed his theological studies at the Pontifical North American College and earned a doctorate in theology.

Priesthood While studying in Rome, Eustace was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of New York on November 1, 1914, by Bishop Alessio Ascalesi. Upon his return to New York the following summer, the archdiocese assigned Eustace as an assistant pastor at Blessed Sacrament Parish in New Rochelle.

At St. Joseph's, Eustace earned a reputation as a liturgical scholar, publishing in 1935 an English translation of Pope Benedict XIII's 1920 Memoriale Rituum, a set of instructions for liturgy in small churches. Eustace often served as master of ceremonies to Cardinal Patrick Hayes. He remained at the seminary for 21 years, until being appointed pastor at Blessed Sacrament Parish in September 1937.

Bishop of Camden

On December 16, 1937, Eustace was appointed bishop of the newly established Diocese of Camden by Pope Pius XI. Eustace took formal charge of the Diocese of Camden on May 4, 1938, when he was installed at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Camden. He founded 31 parishes, 25 missions, 50 churches, 20 convents, 22 elementary schools, and four high schools. Eustace also erected Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Camden for Spanish-speaking Catholics.

Legacy Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, a coeducational private high school in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey, is named in his honor.