James Cunningham (15 August 1910 – 10 July 1974) was anEnglishprelate of theRoman Catholic Church. He served asBishop of Hexham and Newcastle from 1958 to 1974.[1]
Born inRusholme,Manchester on 15 August 1910, the son of Patrick William Cunningham and Elizabeth Maye, his father was a native ofSligo. The family owned and operated a laundry business at Nelson Street, Rusholme. Cunningham was educated at St Edward's Catholic Elementary School, andSt Joseph's College, Upholland where hewasordained to thepriesthood on 22 May 1937.
Following ordination, Fr Cunningham was sent to theBeda College, Rome to study for aLicentiate of Canon Law, he then attended theGregorian University before being recalled to theDiocese of Salford in 1940 when he was appointed curate atSalford Cathedral, from 1941 he also served as Secretary to BishopHenry Marshall. In 1953 he was appointed as Dean of Salford Cathedral,Vicar General of the Diocese andMonsignor.
Mgr Cunningham was appointed anauxiliary bishop ofHexham and Newcastle andTitular Bishop ofIos on 19 August 1957. Hisconsecration to theEpiscopate took place on 2 November 1957, the principalconsecrator was ArchbishopJohn Carmel Heenan of Liverpool (later Archbishop of Westminster), and the principal co-consecrators were BishopGeorge Andrew Beck of Salford (later Archbishop of Liverpool) and BishopGeorge Brunner of Middlesbrough. The following year, Cunningham was appointed theBishop of theDiocese of Hexham and Newcastle on 1 July 1958.[1]
He died in office inNewcastle upon Tyne on 10 July 1974, aged 63, and was buried atUshaw College cemetery.[1][2]
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| Preceded by | Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle 1958–1974 | Succeeded by |
