Guard Your Faith – Anti-Catholic Mob Didn’t Rattle First Bishop
-FaithInWV presents another look back in celebration of our 175th Anniversary.The first bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling, Bishop Richard Vincent Whelan, was a shining example of how we should guard our faith, just as St. Paul wrote to his friend Timothy and shared as our second reading for this 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time (2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14).
It is a bishop’s duty as a successor of the Apostles to shepherd his flock, encouraging us by word and actions.
We are all called to “rekindle the gift of God that is within you” and “guard the good treasure entrusted to you with the help of the Holy Spirit, living in us,” as St. Paul wrote and Whelan proved time and time again, especially in the 1850s when an anti-Catholic mob threatened the Wheeling cathedral, a visiting Apostolic Nuncio from Rome, and the predominately Irish parishioners.
According to an article published in The Catholic Spirit on May 22, 1992, an anti-Catholic crusade in the 1850s known as the Know-Nothing Party, believed that the Catholic Church was a threat to America.
“They tried to make people believe that the pope was out to convert the world and take over America,” the article noted, and added, “Pope Pius IV was very aware of the situation and wanted to find a solution. So, he commissioned (the papal nuncio) to visit America and obtain firsthand information.”
In 1854, Bishop Richard Vincent Whelan, invited the cardinal to Wheeling, Va.
Upon learning of this local visit, the Know-Nothings passed out “handbills degrading his character, (declaring the nuncio) ‘is not worthy to breathe the free air from this country…. Destroy the secret plans of the Roman missionary…. Drive this monster back to his bloody master that sends him….’”
The angry mob planned an attack the papal nuncio in the cathedral where he was to preach.
Wheeling’s mayor, Sobieski Brady, would not grant police protection.
So, Bishop Whelan decided to protect the cardinal and the cathedral with all his power.
“As the mob approached the cathedral, Bishop Whelan stood alone to face them.
It is recorded that he spoke these words to them: ‘The first one who dare enter the grounds of the cathedral would be immediately shot.’ At that the Irish Catholics, under the direction of Bishop Whelan, surrounded the cathedral armed with rifles.
“The only violence that occurred that day was when a rioter threw a stone and broke
a pane of glass. Slowly, one by one, the rioters walked away,” the article concluded.
So, as St. Paul reminds us – be like ole’ Bishop Whelan – strong and courageous – don’t hide your faith in shame or during opposition, that threatens your integrity. Don’t cower to opposition or challenge.
Let your faith be fully alive and nurture it.
