Francis Kenrick

Francis Patrick Kenrick (December 3, 1796 or 1797 – July 8, 1863) was an Irish-born prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as the third bishop of the Diocese of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania (1842–1851) and the sixth archbishop of the Archdiocese of Baltimore in Maryland(1851–1863).

Kenrick grew up in Ireland, where he received his early education. He then attended the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome, where he built a reputation as a theologian and scholar. After his ordination, he went to teach theology in the Diocese of Bardston in the United States, where he became president of its seminary. Starting in 1830, Kenrick served as coadjutor bishop and bishop of the Diocese of Philadelphia, dealing with rebellious parish trustees and anti-Catholic riots in the city. He became archbishop of Baltimore in 1851, serving there until his death in 1863.

Kenrick is known for his contributions to the American Catholic Church as a theologian and canon law scholar as well as for his introducing free parochial schools for Catholic children in the Diocese of Philadelphia and the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Provided by Wikipedia