Roman Catholic Bishop. Once he entered the Order of St. Francis, he rapidly advanced to important offices. At twenty he was appointed guardian of St. Isidore's, the house of the Irish Franciscans, at Rome, and held this position for three years. When Pope Pius VII made Philadelphia a diocese, Egan became its first bishop. He chose Saint Mary Church as his cathedral. His brief episcopate was embittered and his health shattered by the challenging behavior of the lay trustees of St. Mary Church. The trustees claimed the right of choosing and firing their pastors and of adjusting their salaries. This arose from the notion that "the laity own the churches and the clergy are their hired servants." Apparently the laity was taken by Christ's principle that it was His and the Apostles' purpose to serve the people. Egan's troubles were aggravated by the insubordination of two Irish priests whom he had admitted to the diocese, James Harold and his nephew, William Vincent Harold. Egan died worn out by his struggles to maintain his episcopal power.∼"The vault beneath this tomb was erected by the corporation of St. Mary's Church for the interment of its pastors. Rt. Rev'd Michael Egan, First R. C. Bishop of Philadelphia, was appointed Pastor of St. Mary's Church, April 12, 1803, consecrated Bishop, October 28, 1810, died July 21 1814; age, 53 years."
-- Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia, Volume 3
-- Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia, Volume 3
Roman Catholic Bishop. Once he entered the Order of St. Francis, he rapidly advanced to important offices. At twenty he was appointed guardian of St. Isidore's, the house of the Irish Franciscans, at Rome, and held this position for three years. When Pope Pius VII made Philadelphia a diocese, Egan became its first bishop. He chose Saint Mary Church as his cathedral. His brief episcopate was embittered and his health shattered by the challenging behavior of the lay trustees of St. Mary Church. The trustees claimed the right of choosing and firing their pastors and of adjusting their salaries. This arose from the notion that "the laity own the churches and the clergy are their hired servants." Apparently the laity was taken by Christ's principle that it was His and the Apostles' purpose to serve the people. Egan's troubles were aggravated by the insubordination of two Irish priests whom he had admitted to the diocese, James Harold and his nephew, William Vincent Harold. Egan died worn out by his struggles to maintain his episcopal power.∼"The vault beneath this tomb was erected by the corporation of St. Mary's Church for the interment of its pastors. Rt. Rev'd Michael Egan, First R. C. Bishop of Philadelphia, was appointed Pastor of St. Mary's Church, April 12, 1803, consecrated Bishop, October 28, 1810, died July 21 1814; age, 53 years."
-- Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia, Volume 3
-- Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia, Volume 3
Gravesite Details
Originally interred at Old St. Mary's Catholic Church, removed to the Cathedral when it was completed.
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