Edward Galvin

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Edward J. Galvin SSCME (born November 23, 1882 in Newcestown , County Cork , Ireland, † February 23, 1956 ) was a Roman Catholic bishop and missionary .

biography

Early years and first trip to China

Galvin was born in Newcestown on November 23, 1882, the feast day of St. Columban of Luxeuil . He attended the seminary in Maynooth and received on 20 June 1909, the priestly ordination . After his ordination, Galvin asked the Bishop of Cork to send him temporarily to another diocese until there was a vacant pastoral post in the diocese of Cork . So Galvin was sent to the diocese of Brooklyn , where he met Father Fraser by chance, who had just returned from China . Through conversations with Fraser, it became clear to Galvin that he had to travel to China himself, and so he set off a few months later (1912). Once there, Galvin was shocked by the poverty he saw in Chekiang Province. This made him think about his future missionary work in China. In 1915 he was joined by two other priests, Patrick O'Reilly and Joseph O'Leary. They suggested that Galvin return to Ireland and organize a missionary society for China there. Galvin was skeptical at first and considered himself unsuitable to undertake this task. Eventually, however, he agreed. On his trip to Ireland he made a short stopover in Chicago and met Archbishop George Mundelein , who promised his support.

Foundation of the new mission society

Galvin finally reached Dublin in August 1916, seven years after leaving Ireland. By October another three priests joined the project, including the theology professor John Blowick . Blowick was also the one who submitted their plan to the Irish bishops. On October 11th the time had come, the bishops gave their approval for the new mission society. First known as The Maynooth Mission to China , the community was later called the Missionary Society of St. Columban , after Saint Columban of Luxeuil, on whose memorial day Galvin was born and who was also a missionary. In the course of time the new mission society took on more and more shape, new members came, funds were collected, Pope Benedict XV. gave his approval and a first seminar for the new community was found in Dalgan Park, Galway .

Missionary work in China

In 1920 the Mission Society had 40 priests and the first missionaries, including Galvin, went to China, where the Mission Society was active in the Hanyang area . In this area, the Chinese central government had little influence and local warlords fought each other. From 1925 onwards there were increasing attacks on Christian priests and nuns.

In the course of these events, the Apostolic Prefecture of Hanyang was elevated to the Apostolic Vicariate and Galvin, who had been Apostolic Prefect since 1924, was appointed Vicar Apostolic and Titular Bishop of Myrina . November 1927 he was inaugurated. The following years were marked by the confrontation with the communist forces in Hanyang and Nancheng , the society's newest mission area. When a devastating flood broke out in 1931, the worst in 60 years, in which two-thirds of the apostolic vicariate were inundated, Galvin gained a lot of prestige among the population for his courageous actions. After the reconstruction and the removal of the flood damage, the mission society experienced a new boom. However, this would end in 1937 when the Second Sino-Japanese War began, in the course of which Hanyang was also occupied. Galvin saw his task now in helping the needy population. After the Japanese withdrew, the mission area was briefly quiet. The Vicariate Apostolic was made a diocese in 1946 and Galvin became Bishop of Hanyang.

In 1949, Hanyang fell to the Communists, which was to herald the end of the Missionary Society of St. Columban 's mission to China. On September 17, 1952, Bishop Galvin, escorted by seven police officers, was expelled from the country and put on a train to Hong Kong .

Last years and death

When a doctor in Los Angeles diagnosed Galvin with leukemia , he returned to Ireland in May 1954. There he died on February 23, 1956 in Dalgan Park.

Web links

literature

  • William E. Barrett : The Red Lacquered Gate. The story of Bishop Galvin, co-founder of the Columban Fathers . Sheed & Ward, New York 1967.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ http://www.apostolische-nachnahme.de/nekrolog_1956.htm
personal data
SURNAME Galvin, Edward
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Galvin, Edward J.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Irish Roman Catholic Bishop
DATE OF BIRTH November 23, 1882
PLACE OF BIRTH Newcestown , County Cork
DATE OF DEATH February 23, 1956