Thomas Joseph Carr (10 May 1839 – 6 May 1917) was the second Roman Catholic archbishop of Melbourne, Australia. As archbishop, he was a strong advocate for education and oversaw a huge growth in Catholic education. He also oversaw the completion of St Patrick's Cathedral, which had been underdevelopment for over 30 years.

Early life and education Carr was born on 10 May 1839 near Moylough, Galway, Ireland. He attended St Jarlath's College, Tuam and St Patrick's College, Maynooth, where he was ordained as a priest on 19 May 1866.

Career He served as a curate for six years.

Carr taught at St Jarlath's College and St Patrick's College. In 1874, he became dean of postgraduate students at St Patrick's College. In 1880, he became vice-president of the school. The same year, he was also made the editor of the Irish Ecclesiastical Record, a position he held until 1883.

In 1883, Carr was appointed bishop of Galway. In September 1886, he was appointed Archbishop of Melbourne following the death of Archbishop James Goold. Carr moved to Melbourne in June 1887.

As archbishop, he was a strong advocate for education and oversaw a huge growth in Catholic education. He also oversaw the completion of St Patrick's Cathedral, which had been underdevelopment for over 30 years.

In 1899, he became editor of Austral Light. In 1913, Daniel Mannix was appointed Carr's coadjutor.

Carr died at Melbourne on 6 May 1917 and was buried in St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne. He was 78.

Legacy St. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne was his largest accomplishment, but there are many other markers to Carr's lasting contributions, including the parish of Werribee, Victoria, which he established in 1906.

In the south-western Melbourne suburb of Tarneit, Thomas Carr College is named in his honour.

Works Collected Writings (1907)

References

Further reading

External links Image of Thomas Joseph Carr at the State Library of Victoria. History of Chaplaincy in the Australian Defence Force, 1901 to 1945 St Patrick’s Cathedral The Archbishops of Melbourne by Dean W.J. McCarthy Thomas Carr College, Werribee Thomas Carr Centre, Archbishopric of Melbourne