Cornelius Denvir

The Most Reverend
Bishop Cornelius Denvir
Roman Catholic Diocese of Down and Connor
Church Catholic Church
Diocese Diocese of Down and Connor
In office 1835 - 1866; (died)
Predecessor William Crolly
Successor Patrick Dorrian
Orders
Ordination 31 May 1814
Consecration 22 Nov 1835
by William Crolly
Personal details
Born (1791-08-13)13 August 1791
County Down
Died 10 July 1866
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Styles of
Cornelius Denvir
Reference style The Most Reverend
Spoken style Your Lordship or Bishop
Religious style Bishop
Posthumous style not applicable

The Most Reverend Cornelius Denvir DD (1791–1865) was an Irish Roman Catholic Prelate, mathematician, natural philosopher and former Lord Bishop of Down and Connor. He is noted for ministering in Belfast amidst growing sectarian tension, taking a moderate and non-confrontational stance, to the annoyance of his pro-Catholic followers.[1] He was also a professor at Maynooth College as well as Down and Connor Diocesan College, and was active in the local scientific community.

Early life

Cornelius Denvir was born on 13 August 1791 in Ballycutler, County Down. He was educated at Dr. Nelsons classical school in Downpatrick, and was described by peers as an enthusiastic child with a love for sight-seeing. According one biographer, young Denvir also showed interest in the Catechism by attending local visits from the then Bishop of Down and Connor Dr. Patrick MacMullan who was resident in Downpatrick.[2] In September 1808, Denvir enrolled at Maynooth College, and was appointed chair of Natural Philosophy and Mathematics there in August 1813.

Denvir was ordained first as deacon in June 1813, then a priest in May 1814, performing his liturgical duties in conjunction with his academic ones. In 1826, Denvir left Maynooth College to become the Parish priest of Downpatrick.[2] In 1833 he became a professor at the newly founded St. Malachy's College, teaching classes in Latin, Greek and Mathematics. He continued his duties as parish priest and professor until 1835, when he was appointed 22nd Lord Bishop of Down and Connor to succeed Dr. William Crolly.[2]

Career

Bishop of Down and Connor

As 22nd Lord Bishop of Down and Connor, Dr. Denvir emphasised the teaching of the Catechism to youth as well as emphasising the importance of scripture to the diocese.[2][3] In 1841 he helped fund the construction of St Malachy's Church in Belfast, which was completed in 1845.[2][3] In his later years, Denvir fell under criticism by other Belfast Catholics, who claimed Denvir was neglecting of duties, especially those relating to expanding and defending Catholicism in the face of growing Protestant influence. Some accounts attribute Denvir's shortcomings to poor health and temperament,[3] while others suggest that Denvir backed away from expansion to avoid conflict with Protestant groups.[1][2][4]

Denvir suffered from personal finance problems during his time as Bishop. The construction of St Malachy's Church put him into deep personal debt, which he was apparently arrested for some time after 1844. Denvir was also criticised for selling seats in the newly constructed church to offset costs. He was also described as reluctant in asking for funds from parishoners, severely limiting his resources with which to care for the church.[2]

After years of illness compounded by age, Dr. Denvir was assigned Dr. Patrick Dorrian as a coadjutor in 1860 to carry out his duties.[1][2] While ill health may have been the predominant reason for the appointment of a coadjutor, contemporary newspaper accounts suggest there may also have been an ideological reason for the appointment. In The Spectator it was noted in December 1859 'it may be, because he (Denver) is too liberal for the Cullen epoch.' [5]

In May 1865, Denvir resigned as Bishop and was succeeded by Dorrian.[2] Denvir died one year later on 10 July 1866, in his residence on Donegall St, after suffering from fainting fits a few days prior. He was buried in Ballycruttle Chapel.[2]

Commissioner of National Education

Denvir was appointed Commissioner of National Education in 1853. He is noted for being supportive of non-denominational education and investigating reports of proselytism in public primary education. He later resigned this position in 1857 on request of the Holy See to focus on expanding the local Catholic school system.[3]

Professor and Scientist

As chair of mathematics and natural philosophy at Maynooth, Denvir is noted for changing the style of education at the college from pure logic-based reasoning in Mathematics to a more holistic, topical approach. He is also noted for emphasising experimentation and the importance of the scientific method in teaching natural philosophy, with several sources noting his well-stocked labs.[6]

Other roles

Aside from his duties as a professor, Denvir owned a large galvanised battery, which he loaned out for experimentation and public spectacle. He was also active in the local scientific community, becoming a member of the Natural History and Philosophical Society and the Chemico-Agricultural society of Ulster. One notable feature about Denvir's scientific activity is that it led him to meet frequently with other ministers from different denominations, an irregularity at the time.[4]

Legacy

While at Maynooth College Denvir taught both Nicholas Callan, the inventor and physicist, and Dominic Corrigan, the noted Irish physician.[7][8] According to several accounts, both spoke fondly of their old professor, to the point of Callan gifting Denvir one of his induction coils in thanks.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Connolly, S.J. (2012). "Like an old cathedral city: Belfast welcomes Queen Victoria, August 1849". Urban History. 39, 4: 588. doi:10.1017/S0963926812000375.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 O'Laverty, James (1895). The Bishops of Down and Connor, Being the Fifth Volume of An Historical Account of Down and Connor, Ancient and Modern. Dublin: James Duffy & co. pp. 595–608.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Doyle, Mark. Fighting Like The Devil for the Sake of God: Protestants, Catholics, And The Origins Of Violence In Belfast, 1850–1865. Aug 2006.
  4. 1 2 Finnegan, Diarmid; Wright, Jonathan (June 2015). "Catholics, science, and civic culture in Victorian Belfast". BJHS. 48 (2).
  5. ↑ http://archive.spectator.co.uk/article/3rd-december-1859/7/ireland
  6. ↑ Silke, JJ (1987). "Cornelius Denvir and the 'Spirit of Fear'". Irish Theological Quarterly. 53–2: 130–143.
  7. ↑ Reville, William. Nicholas Callan: Priest Scientist at Maynooth. University College, Cork. The Irish Times, 21 February 2002. 7 May 2008.
  8. ↑ Conscience and Conflict, A BIOGRAPHY OF SIR DOMINIC CORRIGAN(1802–1880) by Eoin O'Brien (THE GLENDALE PRESS, DUBLIN)
  9. ↑ Casey, Michael (1982). "Nicholas Callan-priest, professor, and scientist". Physics Education. 17: 224. Bibcode:1982PhyEd..17..224C. doi:10.1088/0031-9120/17/5/307.
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