Robert Cornthwaite (bishop)

Robert Cornthwaite (9 May 1818 – 16 June 1890) was an English prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He was last Bishop of Beverley and the first Bishop of Leeds.[1]

The Right Reverend Robert Cornthwaite
Bishop of Leeds
Diocese	Diocese of Leeds
Appointed	20 December 1878
Term ended	16 June 1890
Successor	William Gordon
Orders
Ordination	9 November 1845
Consecration	10 November 1861 by Nicholas Wiseman
Personal details
Born	9 May 1818 Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom
Died	16 June 1890 (aged 72) Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Buried	The Church of Mary Immaculate, Sicklinghall
Nationality	English
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Parents	William Cornthwaite and Elizabeth Cornthwaite (née Cuerden)
Previous post	Bishop of Beverley
Alma mater	Ushaw College English College, Rome

Early life and ministry

Robert Cornthwaite was born in Preston, Lancashire,[1] the son of William and Elizabeth (née Cuerden) Cornthwaite.[2] He entered St Cuthbert's College, Ushaw on 9 May 1830, and received the Tonsure and the four minor orders from Bishop Francis George Mostyn on 5 June 1841. During his last year at Ushaw, Cornthwaite taught Humanities.[2]

He entered the English College, Rome on 30 September 1842, and took the oath there on 2 July 1842.[2] He was ordained a subdeacon in December 1843, a deacon on 3 March 1844, and a priest on 9 November 1845.[1][3] After leaving the English College on 13 April 1846, he joined the mission at Carlisle.[4] He returned to Rome on his appointment as the Rector of the English College, Rome on 25 August 1851, remaining in that post until resigned in September 1857.[4] On his return to England, he became the Missionary Rector of St Augustine's, Darlington and Secretary to William Hogarth, Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle.[4] He was appointed Cameriere d'onore extra Urbem (Honorary Prelate) to His Holiness on 16 July 1858, and made Canon and Theologian of the Chapter of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.[4]

Episcopal career

On 3 September 1861, Cornthwaite was appointed to succeed John Briggs as bishop of the Diocese of Beverley.[1] His consecration to the Episcopate took place on 10 November 1861, the principal consecrator was Cardinal Nicholas Wiseman, Archbishop of Westminster, with Thomas Grant, Bishop of Southwark, and Richard Roskell, Bishop of Nottingham serving as co-consecrators.[1]

In December 1865, Cornthwaite brought the Little Sisters of the Poor to Leeds. The sisters set up their first home in Hanover Square.[5]

On the 20 December 1878, the Diocese of Beverley was suppressed and it was replaced by the dioceses of Leeds and Middlesbrough.[6][7] Cornthwaite continued to serve as the Bishop of Leeds until his death on 16 June 1890, aged 72.[1] He is buried at the Church of Mary Immaculate, Sicklinghall.[8]

References

1. "Bishop Robert Cornthwaite". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
2. Brady 1876, The Episcopal Succession, volume 3, p. 398.
3. Brady 1876, The Episcopal Succession, volume 3, pp. 398–399.
4. Brady 1876, The Episcopal Succession, volume 3, p. 399.
5. "Leeds celebrates 150 years", Little Sisters of the Poor, December 27, 2015
6. "Diocese of Leeds". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
7. "Diocese of Middlesbrough". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
8. "Previous Bishops". The Diocese of Leeds. Retrieved 14 August 2011.

Bibliography

• Brady, W. Maziere (1876). The Episcopal Succession in England, Scotland and Ireland, A.D. 1400 to 1875. Volume 3. Rome, Italy: Tipografia Della Pace.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)

External links

• Robert Cornthwaite letters, 1852-1853 at Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by John Briggs	Bishop of Beverley 1861–1878	Last appointment
New title	Bishop of Leeds 1878–1890	Succeeded by William Gordon