James Whelan (bishop)

Whelan was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, and moved with his parents to the United States at age 10 or 12, settling in New York.[1] He joined the Dominican Order in 1839 at the novitiate in Springfield, Kentucky, and made his profession in 1842.[1] After studying philosophy and theology at the Dominican convent at Somerset, Ohio, he was ordained a priest by Bishop John Baptist Purcell on August 2, 1846.[2] He then worked as a missionary before serving as president of St. Joseph's College in Somerset from 1852-54, when he became provincial superior of St. Joseph's Province (which included all the United States except the Pacific Coast).[1]

On April 15, 1859, Whelan was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Nashville, Tennessee, and Titular Bishop of Marcopolis by Pope Pius IX.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on the following May 8 from Archbishop Peter Richard Kenrick, with Bishops John Baptiste Miège, S.J., and Henry Damian Juncker serving as co-consecrators, at the Cathedral of St. Louis.[2] He succeeded Richard Pius Miles, O.P., as Bishop of Nashville upon the latter's death on February 21, 1860.[2] He enlarged the cathedral and established an academy, boarding school, and orphanage.[1]

As a border state, Tennessee was the scene of some of the most severe battles during the Civil War (1861–1865).[3] While passing through the lines after a visit with Bishop Martin John Spalding at Louisville, Whelan was accused of making remarks within Union lines which the Confederates thought had influenced the movements of the Union Army.[1] These reproaches, combined with the sufferings, struggles, and sorrows of war, proved too much for Whelan, who resigned as Bishop on February 12, 1864; he was immediately named Titular Bishop of Diocletianopolis in Palaestina.[2]

Whelan briefly retired to St. Joseph's Convent before taking up residence at St. Thomas Church in Zanesville.[1] He devoted his time to theological, historical, and chemical studies, and published a defense of papal infallibility in 1871.[3] He died on February 18, 1878, aged 54, in Zanesville, Ohio.