Michael Francis Egan


Michael Francis Egan

Bishop of Philadelphia
ProvinceBaltimore
DiocesePhiladelphia
AppointedApril 8, 1808
InstalledOctober 28, 1810
Term endedJuly 22, 1814
PredecessorNew diocese
SuccessorHenry Conwell
Orders
Ordination1785 or 1786
ConsecrationOctober 28, 1810
by John Carroll
Personal details
Born(1761-09-29)September 29, 1761
Ireland
DiedJuly 22, 1814(1814-07-22) (aged 52)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
DenominationRoman Catholic

Michael Francis Egan OFM (September 29, 1761 – July 22, 1814) was an Irish American Catholic prelate who served as Bishop of Philadelphia from 1808 until his death.

Egan was born in Ireland in 1761, and joined the Franciscan Order at a young age. He served as a priest in Rome, Ireland, and Pennsylvania and became known as a gifted preacher. In 1808, Egan was appointed the first Bishop of Philadelphia.[1] Egan's tenure as bishop saw the construction of new churches and the expansion of the Catholic Church membership in his diocese, but much of his time was consumed by disputes with the lay trustees of his pro-cathedral, St. Mary's Church in Philadelphia. He died in Philadelphia, probably of tuberculosis, in 1814.