Thomas Martin Aloysius Burke

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Thomas Martin Aloysius Burke KGCHS (January 10, 1840 – January 20, 1915) was an Irish-born clergyman of the Catholic Church. He served as bishop of Albany in New York State from 1894 until his death in 1915.

Biography

Early life

Thomas Burke was born on January 10, 1840, in Swinford, County Mayo, the son of Dr. Ulrich Burke. His father moved the family to Utica, New York, in 1850.[1][2] Thomas Burke received his early education from the Christian Brothers in Utica; he then attended St. Michael's College in Toronto, Ontario.[3] In 1856, he entered St. Charles College in Ellicott City, Maryland, where he befriended his classmate James Gibbons.[3] Burke completed his theological studies at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland.[1]

Priesthood

Burke was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Albany in Baltimore, on June 30, 1864 by Bishop Francis Patrick McFarland.[4] After his ordination, the diocese assigned Burke as a curate at St. John's Parish in Albany, New York. In 1865, he was named pastor of St. Joseph's Parish in the same city.[1] Bishop Francis McNierney appointed Burke as his vicar general in 1887. Pope Leo XIII named Burke as a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre in 1890.[2]

Bishop of Albany

On May 15, 1894, Burke was appointed the fourth bishop of Albany by Leo XIII.[4] He received his episcopal consecration on July 1, 1894, from Archbishop Michael Corrigan, with Bishops Bernard John McQuaid and Patrick Anthony Ludden serving as co-consecrators, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany.[4] During his administration, he enlarged the Boys' Asylum in Albany, reduced the large diocesan debt, and renovated the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.[5] Burke established cordial relations with Protestant clergy throughout the diocese.[2]

Death

Burke died on January 20, 1915 in Albany at age 75.[6]

References

  1. 1.[1.2][1.3]Herbermann, Charles George, ed. (1915). Historical Records and Studies. Vol. VIII. New York: United States Catholic Historical Society.
  2. 2.[2.2][2.3]"BISHOP OF ALBANY DIOCESE; APPOINTMENT AT ROME OF THE VERY REV. T.M.A. BURKE. Now Pastor of St. Joseph's Church. He Will Succeed the Late Bishop McNierney -- Has Been for Many Years an Active Worker in the State Capital -- His Appointment Highly Commended on All Sides -- His Career in the Priesthood". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  3. 3.[3.2]"Bishop of Albany Diocese; Appointment at Rome of the Very Rev. T.M.A. Burke". The New York Times. May 19, 1894.
  4. 4.[4.2][4.3]"Bishop Thomas Martin Aloysius Burke". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
  5. 5."Albany". Catholic Encyclopedia.
  6. 6."Bishop Burke Dies Suddenly at Albany". Brooklyn Standard Union. Albany. January 21, 1915. p. 13. Retrieved August 17, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.