James Maher (cleric)

James Maher(1840-1905) was an Irish-born Roman Catholic priest who served as Bishop of Port Augusta from 1896 until his death in 1905.[1]

James Maher was born in the parish of Granemockler, Co. Tipperary, Ireland on July 12, 1840. He studied classics at Mount Melleray Abbey Grammar School, and philosophy and theology at St. John's College, Waterford. He was ordained priest at Maynooth College in 1868, by Bishop of Sale and arrived in South Australia in December of the same year. Fr Maher served in various roles, at Kadina, Mount Barker, Adelaide, and Kapunda, and was then appointed to Pekina, where he served as parish priest. When the Port Augusta diocese was established and Dr. O'Reily appointed first Bishop in 1888, Father Maher was appointed Vicar-General,[2] and on Dr. O'Reily's translation to the archdiocese of Adelaide, he succeeded him as Bishop of Port Augusta, being consecrated in St. Francis Xavier, Cathedral, Adelaide on April 26, 1896.[3]

He died on 20 December 1905 in his residence in Pekina,[4] and was buried in front of St Catherine's Catholic church. He was succeeded by John Henry Norton, the first Australian-born Bishop of Port Augusta.

References
  1. Bishop James Maher Catholic Hierarchy
  2. Diocese of Port Augusta New Advent
  3. 'Irish South Australia: New histories and insights', Susan Arthure, Fidelma Breen, Stephanie James, Dymphna Lonergan, Wakefield Press, 17 Jan 2019
  4. 'Death of Dr. Maher', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931) Friday 22 Dec 1905 Page 7.
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