My Genealogy Hound

RT. REV. RICHARD PHELAN, D. D., bishop of Cibyra and coadjutor of the bishop of Pittsburgh, was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, Jan. 1, 1828, the eldest of nine children, four of whom are dedicated to the service of God. His parents were Michael and Mary(Keoghan)Phelan, natives of the neighborhood of his birthplace. He received his early instruction in the schools of his native place and from private tutors. He pursued his classical studies in St. Kyran’s College, in the city of Kilkenny. In December, 1849, in response to an invitation of Rt. Rev. Dr. O’Connor, first bishop of Pittsburgh, for students for the then growing diocese, he sailed from Ireland and arrived in Pittsburgh the following month. He entered St. Michael’s Seminary in that city, but after a short time proceeded to St. Mary’s Seminary, Baltimore, where he completed the study of theology, Holy Scripture, etc. Returning to Pittsburgh, he was ordained priest May 4, 1854, by Bishop O’Connor, and was immediately appointed to the charge of a congregation in Indiana county. In the fall of that year the cholera raged in Pittsburgh, and, the clergy of the city being overworked, Father Phelan came to their assistance, and remained until the epidemic ceased. In February, 1885, he was called by the bishop to be an assistant pastor at St. Paul’s cathedral, where he remained until September, 1858. He was then appointed to the pastoral charge of Freeport and Kittanning, Armstrong county, with other missions attached, where four or five priests now find work. In 1868 Father Mullen, then pastor of the old St. Peter’s church, Allegheny, which was located where the Western Pennsylvania freight depot now stands, was appointed bishop of Erie. Father Phelan succeeded him in Allegheny, and under his guidance were built the beautiful new church and residence at the corner of Ohio street and Sherman avenue.

In 1876 Allegheny was erected into a diocese and Bishop Domenec, of Pittsburgh, placed in charge. In the following year Bishop Domenec went to Europe, where he died, leaving Father Phelan administrator of the diocese, in which capacity he continued until the diocese of Allegheny was reunited to that of Pittsburgh. In 1881 Bishop Tuigg made a journey to Europe, leaving Father Phelan administrator of the united dioceses during, his absence, and on his return appointed him permanent Vicar-General. Bishop Phelan assisted at the last plenary council of Baltimore as the “procurator” of Bishop Tuigg, owing to the indisposition of the latter prelate. The illness of Bishop Tuigg—partial paralysis—continuing without much hope of immediate recovery, Father Phelan was appointed his coadjutor, with the “right of succession,” and was consecrated bishop on the 2d of August, 1885, in St. Paul’s cathedral, Pittsburgh, by the Most Rev. Archbishop Ryan, of Philadelphia.