England, John, 1786–1842, Irish Roman Catholic churchman in America, b. Cork. He studied, was ordained, and ministered to several parishes in Co. Cork. His parishes were poor ones, but he became well known for his zeal for Catholic Emancipation and for advocating equality of his church with the Anglicans in Ireland. England was consecrated bishop of the new see of Charleston, S.C., in 1820 and moved to America. His diocese included the Carolinas and Georgia. Notable from the beginning for his intense interest in all things American, he traveled throughout his diocese continually, going many miles if necessary to visit even one of his coreligionists. He was especially devoted to the needs of the blacks in his diocese.
See P. K. Guilday, Life and Times of John England, 1786–1842 (2 vol., 1927, repr. 1969).
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