Laurence Sheil, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Laurence Sheil

Catholic bishop

Date of Birth: 24-Dec-1814

Place of Birth: Wexford, East, Ireland

Date of Death: 01-Mar-1872

Profession: Catholic priest

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Laurence Bonaventure Sheil OFM (24 December 1815 – 1 March 1872) was an Irish Franciscan friar, who served as the third Roman Catholic Bishop of Adelaide.
Born in Ireland, he was educated at St Peter's College, Wexford, and at the Franciscan College of St Isidore, Rome, Sheil was sent to the British Colony of New South Wales in Australia after being ordained a priest.
There, he served as an educator and administrator, before poor health saw him move to Ballarat as archdeacon. In 1866, Sheil became the third Bishop of Adelaide.
His reign was characterised by poor administration, with his extensive absence from the diocese contributing to severe factionalism within the clergy.
Sheil's mismanagement culminated in his excommunication of Mary MacKillop, who later became Australia's first saint.
He died in March 1872, rescinding his excommunication of MacKillop on his deathbed.