John Thomas Mullock

John Thomas Mullock (September 27, 1807 – March 26, 1869) was Roman Catholic bishop of St. John's, Newfoundland and did much to establish and develop the church in the region.

Born in Limerick, Ireland, he died in St. John's and is buried in the crypt of the Basilica of St. John the Baptist.

Born in Limerick in 1807, Mullock was admitted as a Friar Minor in 1825, and then sent to be educated at St. Bonaventure's College in Seville. He went on to complete his seminary studies at St. Isidore's College in Rome. At the age of 26, he was ordained at the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome on 10 April 1830 by Cardinal Zuila.

After long service in Ireland - at Ennis, Cork, and Dublin - he was appointed in 1847, coadjutor bishop with right of succession to his fellow friar, Michael Anthony Fleming, O.S.F., Catholic Bishop of St. John's, Newfoundland, for which office he was consecrated by Cardinal Fransoni on 27 December 1847, at St. Isidore's.

In July, 1850, Mullock succeeded Fleming. The Catholic Church made great progress in Newfoundland during his episcopate of Mullock, a new diocese, Harbour Grace, being erected.

The cathedral of St. John's, begun in 1841, was consecrated on 9 September 1855. He also opened in 1857 St Bonaventure's, a school for middle-class boys, as well as five churches. He also built a new episcopal palace and library, and eleven convents.

Mullock took a keen interest in the commercial development of Newfoundland, and was enthusiastic about its natural resources.

He was frequently consulted by the Governor on matters relating to the welfare of the country, and many of his suggestions relating to the fisheries and other matters were adopted.