Matthew Harkins

Matthew A. Harkins (November 17, 1845 – May 25, 1921) was an American Catholic prelate who served as the second bishop of Providence in Rhode Island from 1887 until his death in 1921.

Biography

Early life Matthew A. Harkins was born on November 17, 1845, in Boston, Massachusetts to Patrick Harkins, an Irish immigrant, and his wife, Margaret. He received his early education at a primary school on Tremont Street in Boston and at a grammar school in Quincy, Massachusetts.

In 1876, Harkins received his first assignment as a pastor at St. Malachi Parish in Arlington, Massachusetts Eight years later, in 1884, the diocese moved him to be pastor of St. James Parish in Boston, then the largest parish in New England. That same year, Harkins accompanied Archbishop John Williams to the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore in Baltimore, Maryland, where he advised Williams on theological questions. He received his episcopal consecration on April 14, 1887, from Archbishop Williams, with Bishops Patrick O'Reilly and Lawrence McMahon serving as co-consecrators, at the still unfinished Cathedral of SS Peter and Paul in Providence.

During Harkins' tenure, the diocese grew to be one of the largest in the country, with a high percentage of Catholics in the general population. In 1904, Harkins requested that the Vatican split the Massachusetts sections of the Diocese of Providence into a new diocese; the Vatican took action that same year, erecting the Diocese of Fall River.

Due to Harkins' advancing age and declining health, plus the explosive growth of the diocese, the Vatican added two auxiliary bishops to the diocese in 1914 and 1917. In 1919, it named a coadjutor bishop to take over more of Harkin's duties.

Death and legacy Matthew Harkins died in Providence on May 25, 1921, at age 75.