Thomas Joseph Carr (10 May 1839 – 6 May 1917) was the second Roman Catholic archbishop of Melbourne, Australia.[1][2] As archbishop, he was a strong advocate for education[1] and oversaw a huge growth in Catholic education.[2] He also oversaw the completion of St Patrick's Cathedral, which had been underdevelopment for over 30 years.[2][3]
Early life and education
Carr was born on 10 May 1839 near Moylough, Galway, Ireland.[1] He attended St Jarlath's College, Tuam and St Patrick's College, Maynooth, where he was ordained as a priest[1] on 19 May 1866.[2][4]
Career
He served as a curate for six years.[2][4]
Carr taught at St Jarlath's College and St Patrick's College.[1] In 1874, he became dean of postgraduate students at St Patrick's College.[2][4] In 1880, he became vice-president of the school.[2][4] The same year, he was also made the editor of the Irish Ecclesiastical Record,[2][1] a position he held until 1883.[4]
In 1883, Carr was appointed bishop of Galway.[2][1][4] In September 1886, he was appointed Archbishop of Melbourne following the death of Archbishop James Goold.[1] Carr moved to Melbourne in June 1887.[2][5]
As archbishop, he was a strong advocate for education[1][5] and oversaw a huge growth in Catholic education.[2] He also oversaw the completion of St Patrick's Cathedral,[5] which had been underdevelopment for over 30 years.[2][3]
In 1899, he became editor of Austral Light.[2] In 1913, Daniel Mannix was appointed Carr's coadjutor.[2][1]
Carr died at Melbourne on 6 May 1917[2] and was buried in St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne.[1] He was 78.[5]
Legacy
St. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne was his largest accomplishment, but there are many other markers to Carr's lasting contributions, including the parish of Werribee, Victoria, which he established in 1906.
In the south-western Melbourne suburb of Tarneit, Thomas Carr College is named in his honour.
Works
Collected Writings (1907)[2]
References
- 1.[1.2][1.3][1.4][1.5][1.6][1.7][1.8][1.9][1.10][1.11]Molony, John N. "Carr, Thomas Joseph (1839–1917)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
- 2.[2.2][2.3][2.4][2.5][2.6][2.7][2.8][2.9][2.10][2.11][2.12][2.13][2.14][2.15][2.16]Serle, Percival (1949). "Carr, Thomas Joseph (1839-1917): Roman Catholic archbishop of Melbourne". Dictionary of Australian Biography. Angus and Robertson.
- 3.[3.2]"Thomas James Carr". The Catholic Advocate. Brisbane. 7 October 1911. p. 16.
- 4.[4.2][4.3][4.4][4.5][4.6]"Archbishop Carr". Freeman's Journal. Sydney. 16 October 1886. p. 18. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
- 5.[5.2][5.3][5.4]"Death of Archbishop Carr". Geelong Advertiser. 7 May 1917. p. 4. Retrieved 15 May 2026.