Rt. Rev. John Sweeney (1821 - 1898)

John Sweeney was born in May 1821 in Clones, Co. Monaghan, Ireland, the son of James and Mary (McGuire) Sweeney. The family emigrated to Saint John, NB in 1828.

After studies at the Seminary of Quebec, Bishop Dollard ordained Father Sweeney on September 1, 1844. In January 1846, he was sent as resident pastor of Chatham, NB, succeeding Father Shanahan (Chatham's first resident pastor). Father Sweeney built St. Michael's Museum & Genealogy Centre. It was from this building, then St. Michael's Rectory, that Rev. John Sweeney set out for Middle Island to minister the sick and dying passengers of the Looshtauk, the Bolivar and the Richard White in 1847.

Father Sweeney was beloved by the people of Chatham, and his task was more severe during the winter months, especially when the roads were closed and he walked many miles on snowshoes to administer to the sick and afflicted. In the latter part of 1849, Father Sweeney moved to the parish of Barachois.

Father Sweeney became the 3rd Bishop of Saint John, NB in 1858. Bishop Sweeney died March 25, 1901.