Religious leader, first American cardinal - He was born to Irish immigrants in Brooklyn. His vocation began after graduation from Mt. St. Mary's College in Emmitsburg, Maryland. With a counting house position in hand and in the process of beginning work in New York City, a freak accident left him seriously injured and blind. His sight returned and after recuperation, he returned to Mt. St Mary's and was ordained to the priesthood. His religious life became a series of "Firsts." The first native born of New York State to become a priest, first president of St. John's College (Now Fordam University) first coadjutor bishop of New York, first bishop of the new Albany Diocese and finally the first cardinal appointed in the United States. Upon his death, he was placed in the newly constructed Bishops Crypt under the high altar at St. Patrick's Cathedral. He was soon joined by his predecessor, Archbishop Hughes who was exhumed from old St. Patrick's Cathedral and reinterred in the new crypt. Hughes was instrumental in conceiving and constructing the Cathedral and laid the corner stone in 1858. Cardinal McCloskey completed the church and dedicated it on May 25, 1879.
Religious leader, first American cardinal - He was born to Irish immigrants in Brooklyn. His vocation began after graduation from Mt. St. Mary's College in Emmitsburg, Maryland. With a counting house position in hand and in the process of beginning work in New York City, a freak accident left him seriously injured and blind. His sight returned and after recuperation, he returned to Mt. St Mary's and was ordained to the priesthood. His religious life became a series of "Firsts." The first native born of New York State to become a priest, first president of St. John's College (Now Fordam University) first coadjutor bishop of New York, first bishop of the new Albany Diocese and finally the first cardinal appointed in the United States. Upon his death, he was placed in the newly constructed Bishops Crypt under the high altar at St. Patrick's Cathedral. He was soon joined by his predecessor, Archbishop Hughes who was exhumed from old St. Patrick's Cathedral and reinterred in the new crypt. Hughes was instrumental in conceiving and constructing the Cathedral and laid the corner stone in 1858. Cardinal McCloskey completed the church and dedicated it on May 25, 1879.
Bio by: Paul S.
