John Power

Background

He was born on June 19, 1792 in Roscarberry, County Cork, Ireland.

Education

He received his classical training in Cork. Subsequently, he pursued the courses in philosophy and theology at Maynooth, where he was associated with two future Irish leaders, Theobald Mathew and John McHale of Tuam.

Career

After his ordination, Father Power taught at the diocesan seminary at Cork and served as a curate at Youghal.

In 1819 he came to New York as pastor of St. Peter's Church on the invitation of the trustees - with whom he managed to keep on friendly terms. He soon became the idol of the Irish element, and was invariably called upon as its spokesman. As preacher on such occasions as ordinations and the laying of cornerstones for churches within a considerable range of New York, his name appeared continually in the Catholic press. He was extremely active as Bishop Connolly's vicar general and as administrator on the bishop's death in 1825.

Intimate friends like Bishop John England sought his appointment to the see of New York; but Rome named John Dubois. Power loyally supported Dubois, whom he represented at the First Provincial Council of Baltimore (1829) and whom he served as vicar general along with Felix Varela. In 1825, he was instrumental in establishing the Truth Teller under William Denman and George Pardow, though the former believed that Power was too active in furthering the circulation of England's United States Catholic Miscellany.

As a consulting theologian, he attended the Second Provincial Council of Baltimore (1833), where he was recognized as the translator of part of the Bible de Royaumont, the editor of a pioneer Laity's Directory (1822), the compiler of the New Testament by Way of Question and Answer (1824) and of a manual of prayers, True Piety (1832), and as an opponent of Parson William Craig Brownlee of The Protestant in a heated religious controversy.

With his brother, William Power he was a promoter of the Irish Emigrant Society and a friend of every movement in America or Ireland for the social or political advancement of the Irish cause, which was championed in the British Parliament by his brother Maurice Power.

Again, in 1837, when Dubois required a co-adjutor, Power's friends sent his name to Rome. Bishop Purcell believed that his merits were not "sufficiently appreciated, " and England with usual exaggeration feared a schism if Power were not named. Nevertheless, despite the rather general desire of the priests and people to see him elevated; Bishop Kenrick and Bishop Dubois obtained the appointment of their candidate, Father John Hughes of Philadelphia. Once more Power fell in line and aided in silencing considerable dissatisfaction. Hughes appreciated his strength and ability, and named him vicar general in 1839.

Despite all his notable services, however, he was allowed to complete his days as pastor of St. Peter's Church. He died in 1849.

Achievements

• John Power has been listed as a noteworthy clergyman by Marquis Who's Who.

Personality

He was an eloquent preacher of imposing appearance, a clever politician and a man of liberal tendencies.

Quotes from others about the person

• Bishop McCloskey declared: "From my boyhood upward, Dr. Power was ever to me a kind and affectionate father, and in my mature years a trusted counsellor and friend"

Connections

opponent:

Parson William Craig Brownlee

Friend:

John England

coworker:

Felix Varela

Brother:

Maurice Power

Brother:

William Power

associate:

John McHale

associate:

Theobald Mathew