Laurence Sheil
Laurence Bonaventure Sheil OFM (24 December 1815 – 1 March 1872) was an Irish Franciscan friar, who served as the third Roman Catholic Bishop of Adelaide. Born in Ireland, he was educated at St Peter's College, Wexford, and at the Franciscan College of St Isidore, Rome, Sheil was sent to the British Colony of New South Wales in Australia after being ordained a priest. There, he served as an educator and administrator, before poor health saw him move to Ballarat as archdeacon.
The Right Reverend Laurence Bonaventure Sheil, OFM | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Adelaide | |
| Diocese | Adelaide |
| Installed | 16 September 1866 |
| Term ended | 1 March 1872 |
| Predecessor | Bishop Patrick Geoghegan OFM |
| Successor | Archbishop Christopher Reynolds |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1839 |
| Consecration | 15 August 1866 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 December 1815 Wexford, Ireland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland |
| Died | 1 March 1872 (aged 56) Willunga, South Australia, British Empire |
In 1866, Sheil became the third Bishop of Adelaide. His reign was characterised by poor administration, with his extensive absence from the diocese contributing to severe factionalism within the clergy. Sheil's mismanagement culminated in his excommunication of Mary MacKillop, who later became Australia's first saint. He died in March 1872, rescinding his excommunication of MacKillop on his deathbed.