Fr. Philip Dowley CM, (Dean Dowley) was an Irish priest and Provincial of theVincentians in Ireland. He was born to Maurice Dowley and Nora Corbett in 1788, Ballyknock, outside Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Waterford.In 1812, entered Maynooth as a student for his native diocese of Waterford. He was Junior then Senior appointed Dean ofMaynooth College but left it in 1834 to help set up the Vincentians in Dublin. He was just appointed vice-president of Maynooth in 1834 but resigned to follow four students who had left Maynooth to set up the Vincentians. Dean Dowley became their leader.[1]In 1840, Fr. Dowley and two others made their novitiate in Paris.[2]
They set up a school in Ushers Quay in Dublin, but also a congregation house in Phibsboro, and St. Vincent'sCastleknock College. In 1838,St. Peter's church was handed over to the Vincentians.
In 1848, when the province of theCongregation of the Mission was officially established in Ireland, Fr. Dowley became its first Provincial.[3]
He acted as president of the seminary inCastleknock from its foundation, and stayed in the provincial residence at the college.[citation needed]
He died in Castleknock on 31 January 1864 and was succeeded by Father Thomas McNamara CM.[citation needed]
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