TROY, JOHN THOMAS

Archbishop of Dublin; b. Porterstown, County Dublin, June 26, 1739; d. Dublin, May 10, 1823. His father, James Troy, was a Dublin merchant; his mother, Mary (Neville) Troy, was descended from an old County Wexford family. In 1754 he entered the dominicans, and was sent to study at St. Clement's, Rome. After ordination (1762) he taught at St. Clement's, where he became regent of studies (1771) and prior (1772). In November 1776 he was named bishop of Ossory, Ireland. As bishop he sought to dispel the allegation, which was used to justify penal laws against Catholics, that Catholicism was in principle inimical to a Protestant government and constitution. He consistently denounced riots and civil disturbances as incompatible with the duty of obedience to established government. Troy was transferred to the arch-bishopric of Dublin (Nov. 27, 1786). Irish opinion strongly favored this appointment, especially after the competence and zeal that he had displayed during his brief tenure as administrator of the See of armagh in trying circumstances (1782) and his tact in correcting abuses. Troy incurred considerable unpopularity, however, by opposing the spread of french revolution philosophy in Ireland after 1789. He denounced the Irish Rising of 1798 as stemming from this source, although he petitioned the government to protect the victims of the Orange outrages that accompanied the uprising. In return for assurances that measures would be taken to end bigotry, he supported the legislative union of Great Britain and Ireland (1801) and agreed that only candidates loyal to the government would be promoted to Irish bishoprics. Various plans to implement this principle as a condition of Catholic emancipation involved Troy in violent political controversy, despite his efforts to limit himself to the religious issues. These activities did not materially affect his pastoral labors, which fostered the foundation of new religious institutes and enriched Catholic life. For long periods during his episcopacy communication with Rome was impossible. During that time bishops in Ireland and elsewhere in the English-speaking world were guided by his actions and advice. He died in poverty and was buried in the procathedral, Dublin.

Bibliography: w. carrigan, The History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory, 4 v. (Dublin 1905). j. d'alton, The Memoirs of the Archbishops of Dublin (Dublin 1838). l. nolan, The Irish Dominicans in Rome (Rome 1913).

[h. e. peel]