CONWELL, HENRY. - Second bishop of Philadelphia, b. at Moneymore, Londonderry, in 1745, d. there on 22 Apr. 1842. Ordained priest in 1776, parish priest of Dungannon and vicar general of Armagh; on 26 Nov. 1819 he was appointed bishop of Philadelphia. Despite his advanced age, he enthusiastically undertook the task entrusted to him, but was unable to put an end to the dissensions that troubled the diocese.
The church of St. Mary, then the cathedral, had been arbitrarily assigned by the founding members to Rev. William Hogan, who did not enjoy a good reputation among the faithful. On 12 Dec., C., on the basis of American legislative provisions, which did not contemplate such interference in clerical appointments, dismissed him and recalled as vicar general William V. Harold, a Dominican, whom Hogan had removed; this worsened the situation to the point that in May 1821 the founders closed the church to the bishop and clergy, forcing them to move to that of St. Joseph.
Later the dissidents devised an agreement to be submitted to the judgment of the Roman authorities, who rejected it because it was contrary to the dignity and prestige of the Church. While C. was in Rome to justify his conduct, the question was re-examined at Baltimore, where the first Provincial Council had assembled, and it was proposed that a coadjutor and administrator be appointed in the person of Francis Patrick Kenrich. Rome, in agreement with C., gave its approval; C. returned to Philadelphia in 1830 and spent his last years there in solitude and prayer.