Rev William Cunningham OFM

Title:

Rev

First Name:

William

Middle Names:

Preferred Name:

Surname:

Cunningham

Order:

OFM

Date of Birth:

1810

Place of Birth:

Country of Birth:

Ireland

Date of Ordination:

Place of Ordination:

Country of Ordination:

Ordination Diocese:

Seminary:

Date of Death:

24-Jul-1861

Place of Death:

Bromsgrove, Worcestershire

Country of Death:

England

Date of Burial:

1861

Place of Burial:

Country of Burial:

England

Find A Grave URL:


Appointments Table

Diocese
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Role
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Source
Melbourne St Francis'Feb18531854Linane Vol 2
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Biographical Notes

Catholic Association, The Argus, Melbourne, 18 July 1853, p 5:

Last evening the usual monthly meeting of this Association took place in St Francis's Hall, Elizabeth-street. The Very Rev. Dr. Geoghegan, V.G., presided in the absence of the Right Rev. Dr. Goold, Catholic Bishop of Melbourne, who is at present engaged on his visitation throughout the diocese. Besides the Very Rev. L. Shiel, the Very Rev. J. B. Hayes, the Rev. William Cunningham, the following gentlemen were present: […]

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Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 19 October 1861, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115759025:

It is with deep regret, which will be shared in by a large portion of the inhabitants of the city, that we have to announce the demise of the Rev. William Cunningham, which took place at his residence, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, on the 24th instant, in the 51st year of his age. During twenty-five years the Rev. Mr. Cunningham was engaged in the duties of his sacred calling, first in this city, subsequently in Australia, and finally in England, where his earthly labours were prematurely brought to close. It appeared to this good priest immaterial in what portion of God's vineyard he laboured ; still, wherever he resided even for a short period, he won the respect and admiration of those over whom he had spiritual jurisdiction, by his talent and eloquence as a preacher, by the purity of his life, and his entire devotion to his sacred ministry. In the less important relations of private life his intercourse was characterised by a childlike simplicity, a kind, affectionate, and generous disposition, which united with refined manners, a cultivated taste and intellect, gave a charm to his society possessed by few others, and everywhere surrounded him with warm, attached friends. The estimation in which his public character and private virtues were held was attested by addresses and presentations to him on three different occasions both by clergy and laity of the districts in which he had served.—Cork Examiner, July 27.

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Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 1, 1979, p 42: "Cunningham, William/Ir./Melb. '53-4. d. in Worcestershire 24.7.1861 (51)."

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Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 2: Biographies of Priests on the Australian Scene up to 1900, 1980, p 114:

Cunningham, William, Irish(?)
Brief Service in Melbourne
The name doesn't appear on the Maynooth and All Hallows lists, and as lists from other Irish seminaries are scrappy it's impossible to quote the seminary and the origin. He arrived in Melbourne on the Koh-i-nor on 13 February 1853, with a numerous clerical intake headed by Dr. Goold. The latter had been absent recruiting etc in the hurly-burly of the gold discoveries. Possibly William was a sickly recruit for he didn't leave the precincts of St. Francis until his departure in 1854. He died in Worcestershire, England, on 24 July 1861 at the age of 51.
(Footprints, Vol. 3, No. 4)
Information: Father John Keaney Chairman M.D.H.C.