Archbishop bede polding biography of william

Polding was born in Liverpool, England, on 18 November His family name was also spelled "Poulden" or "Polten". His parents died and at age 8 he was placed in the care of his uncle, Father Bede Brewer, president-general of the English Benedictine Congregation. Polding was first taught by the Benedictine nuns of the Convent of Our Lady of Consolation of Cambray, who as refugees from revolutionary France were located at Much Woolton , near Liverpool.

In turn he held the offices of parish priest, prefect, novice-master and sub-prior in his monastery. From to he was secretary to the president-general of the Benedictine Congregation.

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Leaving a priest and a student there, he travelled on and arrived in Sydney on 13 September The authorities soon realised the good effect his influence was having, and arranged that, on the arrival of every ship-load of convicts, all the Catholics should be placed at his disposal for some days, during which the bishop and his assistants saw each prisoner personally and did all they could for them before they were drafted off to their various destinations.

He traveled to Europe in November , appointing Francis Murphy to serve as vicar general of the diocese during his absence. It is possible, on the other hand, that he was made a papal Count. Reports are probably accurate which say that he was appointed an Assistant at the Pontifical Throne , [ 8 ] an honorific title formerly granted by the Popes to some bishops.

Despite his many successes as a founding bishop, Polding experienced a degree of resistance from his largely Irish Catholic church in Australia. In Polding established a mission for Aboriginal people at Moongalba on Stradbroke Island , staffed by Passionist priests. However, the attempt failed and the Passionists left the island not long afterwards.

He was successful in these quests and also gained approval for the establishment of Melbourne as a separate see.