Thomas McGovern (bishop)
Thomas McGovern was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as the second bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.Biography
McGovern was born in the townland of Drumbar, Swanlinbar, County Cavan, and came to the United States with his parents in 1833, settling in Albany Township, Pennsylvania. In 1855 he entered Mount St. Mary's College in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He completed his theological studies at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, and was ordained a priest by Bishop James Wood on December 27, 1861.
After serving at Pottstown and Douglassville, he was named a curate at and later in Philadelphia. He was pastor of Bellefonte from 1864 until 1870, when he was transferred to St. Patrick's Church in York. In 1873, he was appointed to Danville. From 1881 to 1882, he went to Europe, Africa and Asia to regain his health.
On December 6, 1887, McGovern was appointed Bishop of Harrisburg by Pope Leo XIII. He received his episcopal consecration on March 11, 1888 from Bishop William O'Hara, with Bishops Richard Gilmour and John Ambrose Watterson serving as co-consecrators. During his tenure, he erected twelve parishes, mostly designated for the various ethnic groups. He died at age 66.
