Francis Kerril Amherst | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Northampton | |
| Diocese | Northampton |
| See | Northampton |
| Installed | 4 July 1858 |
| Term ended | September 1878 |
| Predecessor | William Wareing |
| Successor | Arthur Riddell. |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 6 June 1846 by Nicholas Wiseman |
| Consecration | 4 July 1858. by Nicholas Wiseman,William Bernard Ullathorne, andWilliam Vaughan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1819-03-21)21 March 1819 |
| Died | 21 August 1883(1883-08-21) (aged 64) |
| Buried | The Cathedral Church of St Mary and St Thomas, Northampton |
| Nationality | British |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Parents | William Kerril and Mary Louisa Turville-Fortescue Amherst |
| Education | St. Mary's College, Oscott |
Francis Kerril AmherstT.O.S.D., (21 March 1819,London – 21 August 1883) was anEnglishBishop of theRoman Catholic Diocese of Northampton in England.
Francis Amherst was born inMarylebone, London 21 March 1819. He was the eldest son of William Kerril Amherst, ofLittle Parndon,Essex, and of Mary Louisa Turville-Fortescue, ofBosworth Hall,Leicestershire.[1] One or both of his parents hailed fromrecusant families. One of his sisters became aBenedictine nun, another joined the order of Providence. His brother William joined theJesuits.[2]
Amherst was sent to study atOscott College in 1830 with the intention of preparing for theCatholic priesthood, but after completing his studies, he left St. Mary's to study engineering in Belgium. He returned to Oscott, however, in 1841, to do theological studies.Nicholas Wiseman was the president of the college, and the following year Amherst accompanied Bishop Wiseman on a trip to Rome. He wasordained a priest by Wiseman on 6 June 1846.[1] In 1853, he joined theDominicans atWoodchester, but left the following year due to poor health. He returned to Oscott as a professor.
After eleven months, Amherst was appointed to the mission ofStafford.[1] After the resignation of BishopWilliam Wareing of Northampton, he was named by theHoly See to head that diocese. Despite his protest, he wasconsecrated 4 July 1858. At Northampton, Amherst found himself fairly isolated, except when making visitations. In 1862 he was honored with an appointment as anAssistant at the Pontifical Throne.
In 1869 he attended theFirst Vatican Council withDr. Errington andWilliam Clifford,Bishop of Clifton. The intense heat in Rome caused him to leave early. On his way north he stopped to view theOberammergau Passion Play. He resigned his see in 1879, owing to ill health, and the following year was given theTitular See of Sozusa.[1]
In September 1878, Amherst resigned the see due to failing health, and was succeeded byArthur Riddell. Toward the end of 1882, he lost his sight, which was a great trial as he loved reading and observing nature.[2] Amherst died at his residence, Fieldgate,Kenilworth,Warwickshire, on 21 August 1883, aged 64,[1] and was buried inThe Cathedral Church of St Mary and St Thomas.[3]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.| Religious titles | ||
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| Preceded by | Bishop of Northampton 1858–1878 | Succeeded by |
Roman Catholic Diocese of Northampton | ||
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