Francis McNeirny

Francis McNeirny (April 25, 1828 – January 2, 1894) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as bishop of Albany in New York State from 1877 until his death in 1894.

Biography

Early life

Francis McNeirny was born on April 25, 1828, in New York City to Patrick and Margaret (née Sheridan) McNeirny, natives of County Cavan. He received his early education at a private school in the city. Deciding to become a priest, he entered the College of Montreal in Montreal, Quebec, in 1841. He graduated with distinction in 1849, and then made his theological studies at the Grand Seminary of Montreal. While still a scholastic, he served as procurator of the Grand Seminary for a year and then as professor of belles-lettres at the College of Montreal for two years. After his ordination, the diocese assigned him as a curate at Old St. Patrick's Cathedral Parish in Manhattan. Hughes later named him as his private secretary and master of ceremonies. Hughes, now archbishop, named McNeirny as chancellor of the archdiocese in 1857. One of his greatest achievements was the enlargement and completion of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception by the addition of an apse and the erection of new sacristies and a tower. In 1880 he approved Lucy Eaton Smith to found her diocesan community, the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine de' Ricci.

Death McNeirny died from pneumonia on January 2, 1894, at his residence in Albany, aged 65.