William Riddell
Encyclopedia
William Riddell was a Roman Catholic bishop who briefly served as the Vicar Apostolic of the Northern District of England in 1847.
, England on 5 February 1807, the son of Ralph Riddell and Elizabeth Blount. He began his education at Stonyhurst College
in Lancashire
on 21 September 1817, and then to the English College, Rome on 29 November 1823, where he completed his theological studies
. He was ordained
a sub-deacon
on 22 March 1828, a deacon
in August 1829, and a priest
in March 1830. After leaving Rome for England on 1 August 1830, he had a brief period as secretary to Cardinal Weld
. In June 1832, he began as an assistant in the mission in Newcastle upon Tyne
, and subsequently taking charge of the mission.
to the Vicar Apostolic of the Northern District, Bishop Francis George Mostyn
, on 22 December 1843. On the same day, he was appointed Titular Bishop
of Lagania, and was consecrated
to the Episcopate
by Bishop John Briggs on 17 March 1844. On the death of Bishop Mostyn
on 11 August 1847, Riddell briefly succeeded as Vicar Apostolic of the Northern District.
He died in office at Charlotte Street, Newcastle upon Tyne on 2 November 1847, aged 40, and is buried in the vaults of St Mary's Cathedral, Newcastle upon Tyne
.
Early life and ministry
He was born at Felton Park, near Morpeth, NorthumberlandMorpeth, Northumberland
Morpeth is the county town of Northumberland, England. It is situated on the River Wansbeck which flows east through the town. The town is from the A1, which bypasses it. Since 1981, it has been the administrative centre of the County of Northumberland. In the 2001 census the town had a population...
, England on 5 February 1807, the son of Ralph Riddell and Elizabeth Blount. He began his education at Stonyhurst College
Stonyhurst College
Stonyhurst College is a Roman Catholic independent school, adhering to the Jesuit tradition. It is located on the Stonyhurst Estate near the village of Hurst Green in the Ribble Valley area of Lancashire, England, and occupies a Grade I listed building...
in Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
on 21 September 1817, and then to the English College, Rome on 29 November 1823, where he completed his theological studies
Theological Studies
Theological Studies is a quarterly academic journal published by the Society of Jesus in the United States. It is published at Marquette University....
. He was ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
a sub-deacon
Subdeacon
-Subdeacons in the Orthodox Church:A subdeacon or hypodeacon is the highest of the minor orders of clergy in the Orthodox Church. This order is higher than the reader and lower than the deacon.-Canonical Discipline:...
on 22 March 1828, a deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
in August 1829, and a priest
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
in March 1830. After leaving Rome for England on 1 August 1830, he had a brief period as secretary to Cardinal Weld
Thomas Weld (cardinal)
Thomas Weld was a member of the Weld-Blundell family and an English Roman Catholic bishop and cardinal.-Life:...
. In June 1832, he began as an assistant in the mission in Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, and subsequently taking charge of the mission.
Vicar Apostolic
He was appointed coadjutorCoadjutor bishop
A coadjutor bishop is a bishop in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches who is designated to assist the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese, almost as co-bishop of the diocese...
to the Vicar Apostolic of the Northern District, Bishop Francis George Mostyn
Francis George Mostyn
Francis George Mostyn was a Roman Catholic bishop who served as the Vicar Apostolic of the Northern District of England from 1840 to 1847....
, on 22 December 1843. On the same day, he was appointed Titular Bishop
Titular bishop
A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place...
of Lagania, and was consecrated
Consecration
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups...
to the Episcopate
Episcopal polity
Episcopal polity is a form of church governance that is hierarchical in structure with the chief authority over a local Christian church resting in a bishop...
by Bishop John Briggs on 17 March 1844. On the death of Bishop Mostyn
Francis George Mostyn
Francis George Mostyn was a Roman Catholic bishop who served as the Vicar Apostolic of the Northern District of England from 1840 to 1847....
on 11 August 1847, Riddell briefly succeeded as Vicar Apostolic of the Northern District.
He died in office at Charlotte Street, Newcastle upon Tyne on 2 November 1847, aged 40, and is buried in the vaults of St Mary's Cathedral, Newcastle upon Tyne
St Mary's Cathedral, Newcastle upon Tyne
The Cathedral Church of St Mary is a Catholic cathedral in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, the mother church of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle and seat of the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle. The Cathedral, situated on Clayton Street, was designed by Augustus Welby Pugin and built between 1842...
.