John Joseph Lonergan

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John Joseph Lonergan (22 March 1888 – 14 July 1938) was an Australian priest of the Catholic Church. He was elected Bishop of Port Augusta in 1938 but died before he could take office.

Early life

Lonergan was born in Melbourne to Michael and Norah Lonergan. He received his education at St Patrick's College, East Melbourne before beginning priestly studies at St Patrick's Seminary, Manly.[1]

Priesthood

Lonergan was ordained on 30 November 1911 at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney by Archbishop Michael Kelly.[2]

His first appointment as priest was as assistant priest at St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne. In 1916, he was appointed inspector of schools for the Archdiocese of Melbourne.[3] In 1924, he was appointed administrator of St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne, private secretary to Archbishop Daniel Mannix and chancellor to the Archdiocese of Melbourne.[4]

In 1929, he was given the title of Monsignor and appointed a Domestic Prelate to the Pope.[5]

Bishop-Elect of Port Augusta

On 8 January 1938, Lonergan was appointed Bishop of Port Augusta, to succeed Norman Thomas Gilroy who had been appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Sydney.[6]

His episcopal consecration had been fixed for 24 April 1938 at St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne but had to be postponed due to Lonergan's ill health after he contracted double pneumonia.[7][8][9]

Death

Lonergan died at a private hospital in Melbourne on 14 July 1938 following five months of illness and having never taken up his appointment as Bishop of Port Augusta.[10]

His funeral was held on 16 July 1938 at St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne, celebrated by Archbishop Daniel Mannix. His body was then taken to Melbourne General Cemetery where he was buried.[11]

References

  1. 1."Catholic Bishop Appointed". The Sun News-Pictorial. 18 January 1938. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  2. 2."The Archdiocese of Melbourne". Advocate. 4 November 191. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  3. 3."New Bishop". The Age. 18 January 1938. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  4. 4."Monsignor Lonergan Dies aged 50". The News. 14 July 1938. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  5. 5."Catholic Bishop Appointed". The Sun News-Pictorial. 18 January 1938. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  6. 6."Father John Joseph Lonergan †". catholic-hierachy.org. Catholic Hierachy. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  7. 7."Personal". The Southern Cross. 25 February 1938. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  8. 8."Monsignor Lonergan Dies aged 50". The News. 14 July 1938. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  9. 9."Bishop-elect of Port Augusta". Advocate. 24 March 1938. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  10. 10."Monsignor Lonergan Dies aged 50". The News. 14 July 1938. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  11. 11."FUNERAL OF MONSIGNOR LONERGAN". The Age. 18 July 1938. Retrieved 5 May 2026.