Archbishop Patrick John Ryan His Life and Times

Contents

I           Introduction

1          Philadelphia, 1911: At ten minutes past four, Saturday afternoon February 11, the bells of the city churches began to echo the tolling of the cathedral bell; death had come to the Archbishop

2          Profile: The power of personality and wit

II         Ireland, 1831–1852: The ideal preparation

3          Tipperary: Family background, education

4          Famine, 1845–1849: The Thurles experience as a teenager

5          Society, politics, religion: The ideal preparation for the life he chose to lead

III        St. Louis, 1852–1884: From deacon to archbishop at a time of rapid growth and sweeping change

6          The Roman Catholic Church in America: Small beginnings, prejudice and progress

7          St. Louis: City, state, diocese

8          Pastoral experience: Reputation as administrator and orator at home and abroad

9          Civil War in St. Louis: Divided loyalties; experience as a prison chaplain

10        Bishop despite the controversy: The doctrine of papal infallibility and other influences on his promotion

IV        Philadelphia, 1884–1911: Leadership locally and nationally

11        Philadelphia: The centre of a thriving industrial area

12        The Archdiocese: Growth and diversity

13        Dissension: Bishops disagree on major issues

14        Reaching out: Spreading the message; challenging prejudices

15        Preacher, orator and pamphleteer: To be a good Catholic is to be a good citizen

16        African Americans and Native Americans: Support for Saint Katharine Drexel and influence on American hierarchy; appointment by President Roosevelt to the Board of Indian Commissioners

17        Connections with Ireland: Irish Parliamentary Party; Parnell and Home Rule; visits to Ireland

18        Active to the end: Slowing down and the appointment of a coadjutor

Epilogue:          His legacy; contemporary views

Appendix A