Archdiocese of St. John's

Saint John’s, Archdiocese of (Sancti Joannis Terræ Novæ), in Newfoundland, erected 1904, with Right Rev. M. F. Howley as archbishop. It has two suffragans, Harbour Grace and St. George’s. In 1796 the Island of Newfoundland was made a vicariate Apostolic, with Rev. James Louis O’ Donel, O.S.F., as first vicar Apostolic. Dr. O’Donel returned to Ireland in 1807, and was succeeded by Right Rev. Patrick Lambert, O.S.F., from Wexford, Ireland. Bishop Lambert ruled until 1817, when he retired to Ireland. Right Rev. Dr. Scallan, also a Franciscan and a Wexford man, succeeded him, and held the see until 1829. When Dr. O'Donel was made vicar Apostolic, there were but six priests in the island; Dr. Seallan increased the number to ten. He was the first bishop who died in the country. In 1829 Right Rev. Dr. Fleming, O.S.F., succeeded to the episcopacy. During his administration of twenty-one years, the building of the great cathedral was started, schools and convents were erected, and nuns of the Presentation and Mercy Orders introduced. The fifth bishop was the learned Dr. Mullock, O.S.F., who was appointed coadjutor to Bishop Fleming, and arrived in the country in 1848. He was consecrated in Rome (1847); and ruled the Church of Newfoundland for nineteen years till 1869. He completed the cathedral, built the episcopal palace, the library and college, also many churches, chapels, and convents. He was the originator of the idea of the Atlantic telegraph cable. In 1856 the island was divided into two dioceses: St. John’s and Harbour Grace. The