Edward Galvin
Edward J. Galvin SSCME ( born November 23, 1882 in Newcestown, County Cork, Ireland, † February 23, 1956 ) was a Roman Catholic bishop and missionary.
Biography
Early years and first trip to China
Galvin was born in 1882 on November 23, Memorial of St. Columbanus of Luxeuil, in Newcestown. He attended the seminary in Maynooth and received on 20 June 1909, the ordination. After his ordination Galvin asked the Bishop of Cork, temporarily sending him to another diocese until a pastoral post would be vacant for him in the diocese of Cork. So Galvin has now been sent to the Diocese of Brooklyn and met by chance, Father Fraser, who just returned from China. Through discussions with Fraser Galvin was clear that he had himself also travel to China, so he made himself a few months later (1912 ) on the way. Once there, Galvin was shocked by the poverty he saw in the province of Chekiang. This prompted him about his future missionary work in China think. In 1915, joined him two other priests, Patrick O'Reilly and Joseph O'Leary. They beat Galvin that he should return to Ireland and there organize a missionary society for China. Galvin was skeptical at first and thought he was unfit to take on this task in attack. Eventually, however, he agreed. On his trip to Ireland he made a brief stopover in Chicago and met Archbishop George Mundelein, who promised him his support.
Establishment of a new mission society
In August 1916 Galvin finally reached Dublin, seven years after he left Ireland. Until October, three more priests joined the project, among them was the theology professor John Blowick. Blowick it was, the Irish bishops presented their projects. On October 11, it was time, the bishops gave their approval for the new mission society. First known as The Maynooth Mission to China, the community was later named Missionary Society of St. Columban, after the saint Columbanus of Luxeuil, was born at the Memorial Galvin and who was also a missionary. Over time, the new missionary society now took more and more shape, new members came, funds were raised, Pope Benedict XV. gave his consent and in Dalgan Park, Galway, a first seminar for the new community was found.
Missionary work in China
In 1920 the Missionary Society were members of 40 priests and the first missionaries, among them Galvin, made their way to China, where the Missionary Society was active in the area to Hanyang. In this area, the Chinese central government had little influence and local warlords fought each other. Starting in 1925, has seen increasing attacks on Christian priests and nuns.
In the course of these events, the Apostolic Prefecture of Hanyang was elevated to the Apostolic Vicariate and Galvin, who had since 1924 Prefect Apostolic, was appointed Vicar Apostolic and Titular Bishop of Myrina. November 1927 was his inauguration. The following years were marked by the confrontation with the communist forces in Hanyang and Nancheng, the latest mission area of society. When it came to a devastating 1931 flood, the worst in 60 years, were inundated by the two-thirds of the apostolic vicariate, Galvin won lots of reputation in the population by its bold action. So the mission we experienced after the reconstruction and the elimination of flood damage, a new bloom. However, this should end in 1937 when the Second Sino-Japanese War began, in the course of which was occupied Hanyang. Galvin saw his task now is to help the suffering population. After the withdrawal of the Japanese short calm returned in the mission area. The Apostolic Vicariate was elevated to a diocese in 1946 and Galvin became Bishop of Hanyang.
1949 Hanyang fell to the Communists, which was to herald the end of the China Mission of the Missionary Society of St. Columban. On September 17, 1952, Bishop Galvin, escorted by seven police officers, expelled from the country and put on a train to Hong Kong.
Last years and death
As a doctor in Los Angeles diagnosed with leukemia Galvin, he returned in May 1954 to Ireland. He died there on 23 February 1956 in Dalgan Park.