Augustine Van de Vyver


Augustine Van de Vyver was a Belgian-American Catholic priest, who became the sixth Bishop of Richmond, Virginia.

Biography

His parents were John Ferdinand Van de Vyver and Sophia. He was educated in the St. Joseph Minor Seminary of Sint-Niklaas, and at the American College, Louvain. Ordained priest, 24 July 1870, he served successively as assistant at St. Peter's Cathedral, Richmond, pastor of Harper's Ferry, pastor of the cathedral, and vicar-general of the Diocese of Richmond. Assigned with him at the cathedral for a time was Dennis J. O'Connell, who was to be his successor in the See of Richmond.
Father Van de Vyver's appointment by Rome to succeed Bishop Keane as Bishop of Richmond, 16 July 1889, was furthered by a petition of the priests of the diocese. He was consecrated, 20 October 1889, having as consecrating prelates his two predecessors, Cardinal James Gibbons and Bishop J. J. Keane, then rector of the Catholic University, Washington. During Bishop Van de Vyver's administration Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Fortune Ryan of New York donated the Sacred Heart Cathedral, the former the building, the latter the furnishings, at a cost of nearly a half million dollars. Diomede Falconio laid the cornerstone of the new cathedral, 4 June 1903, and consecrated the same, 29 November 1906. In a quasi-synod held by the bishop, 12 November 1907, new laws were enacted to meet the needs of the diocese.
Bishop Van de Vyver made several attempts to resign his see. The first, in 1903, and the second, in 1905, were frustrated by the Church authorities, priest and people being ignorant of his intention. The bishop's third and almost successful attempt to resign came to the knowledge of the people, who held a mass meeting. The efforts of clergy and laity caused the final withdrawal of his resignation.
After a farewell visit to his relatives in Belgium, followed by two weeks of illness on his return, and having calmly prepared himself by the reception of the last sacraments, Bishop Van de Vyver died. He was buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Richmond, which he as vicar-general had purchased.