Michael Joseph Curley


Michael Joseph Curley
Archbishop of Baltimore-Washington
SeeBaltimore-Washington
AppointedAugust 10, 1921
InstalledNovember 30, 1921
Term endedMay 16, 1947
PredecessorJames Gibbons
SuccessorFrancis Patrick Keough (Baltimore)
Patrick O'Boyle (Washington)
Previous post(s)Bishop of St. Augustine (1914–1921)
Orders
OrdinationMarch 19, 1904
by Pietro Respighi
ConsecrationJune 10, 1931
by Benjamin Joseph Keiley
Personal details
Born(1879-10-12)October 12, 1879
DiedMay 16, 1947(1947-05-16) (aged 67)
Baltimore, Maryland, US
DenominationRoman Catholic Church
MottoQuis ut Deus?
(Who is like unto God)
Coat of arms of Archbishop Curley

Michael Joseph Curley (October 12, 1879 – May 16, 1947) was an Irish-born Catholic prelate who served as the first Archbishop of Washington (1939–1947). He previously served as Archbishop of Baltimore (1921–1947) and as Bishop of St. Augustine (1914–1921).

Curley is known for his militancy in protecting the rights of Catholics and of his dioceses against perceived and real attacks from outside forces. As bishop of St. Augustine, he fought anti-Catholic efforts by the State of Florida and the Jesuits to claim what he felt was his rightful authority.

As Archbishop of Baltimore and later Washington, he denounced the oppression of Catholic clergy in Mexico and Spain and of Jews in Germany. Curley is also known for his strong program of school construction in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.