BOURNE, FRANCIS

BOURNE, FRANCIS. - Cardinal, b. 23 March 1861 at Clapham, a suburb of London, d. 1 Jan. 1935 in London. He studied theology at the college of S. Sulpizio in Paris and at the University of Lovanio, where he took his degree. Ordained a priest in 1884, he exercised the pastoral ministry in a parish for five years. He then founded the diocesan seminary of Wonersh, of which he was rector until 1898, also teaching moral theology and Holy Scripture there. In 1896 he was appointed coadjutor to the bishop of Southwark and, the following year, upon the death of the incumbent, Msgr. Coffin, succeeded him. He distinguished himself in the governance of the diocese above all through various social initiatives and through his particular care for Catholic youth associations. His untiring work soon attracted the attention of his superiors, and in Aug. 1903 he was transferred to the archiepiscopal see of Westminster. In this new see also he gave proof of his outstanding qualities. In 1908 he organized the international Eucharistic congress in London. In 1910 he consecrated the new cathedral of Westminster. Deservedly, therefore, Pius X, in the Consistory of 27 Nov. 1911, created him cardinal of the title of S. Pudentiana. During the First World War he repeatedly visited the troops on the Western Front. In 1931 he was at Rouen as papal legate on the occasion of the centenary of St. Giovanna d'Arco.