Blessed Thaddeus McCarthy was also known as Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh.
He was installed as a bishop but never ruled in any of his two sees, even though he was appointed to the two of them: as Bishop of Ross, Ireland in 1482 and Bishop of Cork and Cloyne in 1490.
He was born in 1455 in Innishannon, County Cork, Ireland, and died on October 25 1492 in Ivrea, Italy.
We celebrate his feast day on October 25 every year in the Catholic Church.
| Blessed Thaddeus McCarthy Biography | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Date of Birth | 1455 AD |
| Place of Birth | Ireland in Europe |
| Place of Work | Italy |
| Date of Death | October 25 1492 |
| Place of Death | Ivrea, Italy |
| Feast Day | October 25 |
| Beatification | Beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1896 |
| Patron Saint of | |
Blessed Thaddeus McCarthy Biography
Blessed Thaddeus McCarthy was also known as Taddeo Macha. He was the Son of the Lord of Muskerry, Ireland, and grandson of the Lord of Kerry, Ireland.
Macha was educated by the Franciscans at Timoleague, at the University of Paris, and in Rome, Italy. He was a Priest and later was appointed as the Bishop of Ross, Ireland in 1482.
When he arrived in Ross he found that Bishop Hugh O’Driscoll was still alive and holding the see. This was Because of the political intrigues of the time, and the fact that people were falsely reporting the sitting bishop‘s death.
People said that Blessed Thaddeus McCarthy was an imposter trying to take his place. This was followed by years of disputes over the appointment, and Thaddeus never assumed his position.
At one point he was excommunicated by Pope Sixtus IV, and the excommunication confirmed by Pope Innocent VIII, and charged with fraud.
Blessed Thaddeus McCarthy appealed the ex-communication and a commission of inquiry was formed. After inquiry, he was cleared of all charges, civil and ecclesiastic, and the excommunication was revoked.
He was thereafter appointed as the Bishop of Cork and Cloyne, Ireland on April 21 1490. When he arrived he found that locals had chosen Gerald FitzGerald as bishop, and for political reasons, there were armed supporters in the cathedral to prevent Thaddeus from assuming control.
Thaddeus appealed to the Pope and got his support. But without armed supporters, he could not access the cathedral.
Blessed Thaddeus McCarthy resulted to traveling as a pilgrim to holy sites. He arrived in Ivrea, in Piedmont, Italy very exhausted and sought rest at a pilgrims’ hospice.
The warden of the hostel accommodated him and on the night of October 25 1492, Blessed Thaddeus McCarthy died.
When the domestic servants started their work the following morning, they were surprised to find an extraordinary light around Blessed Thaddeus McCarthy’s bed. When they looked further, they discovered that he was dead, but surrounded by a bright glow.
When the resident priest and the bishop examined his wallet, they were astonished to find a bishop’s insignia, a ring and pectoral cross, and papal documentation that had affirmed McCarthy as the rightful bishop of the diocese of Cork and Cloyne.
Blessed Thaddeus McCarthy was buried at the cathedral of Ivrea, Piedmont, Italy.
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