Matthew Cullen (bishop) explained

Type:Bishop
Honorific-Prefix:Rev Dr.
Matthew Cullen
Honorific-Suffix:DD
Bishop in Kildare and Leighlin
Archdiocese:Dublin
Province:Kildare
Diocese:Kildare and Leighlin
Term Start:1927
Term End:1936
Predecessor:Dr. Patrick Foley
Successor:Thomas Keogh
Ordination:1889
Birth Date:1864 3, df=yes
Birth Place:Hacketstown, County Wicklow
Nationality:Irish
Religion:Roman Catholic
Parents:Matthew Cullen and Elizabeth Kehoe
Previous Post:Rector Knockbeg College
Curate
Parish Priest
Alma Mater:Carlow College
Maynooth College

Matthew Cullen (1864-1936) was an Irish Catholic priest and Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin.

Life

Matthew Cullen was born in Kilcarney, County Wicklow in the parish of Hacketstown on St. Patrick's Day, 1864 to Matthew and Elizabeth Kehoe Cullen. He commenced his clerical studies in St. Patrick's, Carlow College, and continued them in Maynooth.[1] He was ordained in 1889 and served initially as a curate in Geashill, Killeigh and the Tinyland, he served as chaplain to the Curragh Army camp.

Career and activities

Cullen served as rector to St. Mary's Knockbeg College from 1895 until 1909, when he moved to Newbridge, prior to being appointed parish priest of Tinyland and then Bagenalstown before being elected a bishop.

He was a keen supporter of Gaelic Games and regularly attended GAA matches in Kildare and Carlow.

In 1927 he was appointed Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, succeeding Dr. Patrick Foley and served until his death.[2] On 30 November 1933 Bishop Cullen consecrated the Cathedral of the Assumption in Carlow.[3]

Cullen encouraged and facilitated the establishment of St Patrick's Missionary Society at Kiltegan.[4]

Death

He died on 2 January 1936. Following his death Carlow GAA Stadium, which had just been completed, was named Dr. Cullen Park in his honour.

Notes and References

  1. https://www.flickr.com/photos/delanyarchive/7220374668/ Matthew Cullen, Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin, 1927-1936
  2. https://web.archive.org/web/20171030071646/http://www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/sports-recreation/sport/sporting-carlow/gaelic-games-%5Bcumann-luth/rev.-dr.-matthew-cullen-1/ Bishop Matthew Cullen
  3. McEvoy, John. "The Churches of Kildare and Leighlin", 2000
  4. http://www.killeigh.com/history___map_.html History Parish of Killeigh