1888, Ecclesiastical History of Newfoundland by The Very Reverend M. F. Howley, D. D.

1888, Ecclesiastical History of Newfoundland by The Very Reverend M. F. Howley, D. D.

📘 Bibliographic Information

• Full title: Ecclesiastical History of Newfoundland

• Author: Michael Francis Howley (1843-1914) — a Newfoundland-born priest who later became Bishop and then Archbishop of St. John’s. 

• First published: 1888 by Doyle & Whittle, Boston. 

• Physical details: ~426 pages, with illustrations, maps (some folded), plates, portraits. 

• A reprint edition: In 1979, published by Mika Publishing Co., Belleville, Ontario (Canadiana Reprint Series no. 71) as a reprint of the 1888 edition.

🧭 Contents & Scope

• The book traces the history of the Roman Catholic Church in Newfoundland from early (pre-Columbian) explorations through to the late 19th century. 

• It includes chapters such as:

  • “Introductory — Spirit of Geographical Research…” 

  • “Pre-Columbian Voyages — [800-1497]” covering Norse, Irish, early missionary traditions. “COLUMBUS and his Followers [1497-1534]”, “JACQUES CARTIER [1534-1611]” and further chapters through to nineteenth‐century developments. 

• It situates the ecclesiastical story within political, colonial, and cultural contexts—covering religious persecution, missionary activity, the establishment of parishes and church structures in Newfoundland. 

• The work has been described as “the first detailed account of Roman Catholicism in Newfoundland from 1784 to 1850”. 

✅ Significance

• It remains a foundational historical work for understanding the role of the Catholic Church in Newfoundland’s religious, social, and cultural history.

• Because of its detailed archival material (letters, maps, biographical sketches of bishops and priests) it’s a primary source for researchers of Newfoundland ecclesiastical history.

• The author himself—Howley—was both a participant in and observer of Newfoundland’s church life, lending the work an insider’s viewpoint.

• Its breadth—covering pre-European, colonial, and 19th-century church developments—makes it valuable as a long‐view historical resource.

⚠️ Caveats / Considerations

• As noted by later scholars, Howley’s account is somewhat hagiographical (celebratory of Catholic mission) and antiquarian—so one should be aware of its perspectives and biases. 

• The language and style are 19th-century. Some of the terms, interpretations or assumptions reflect their time rather than modern historical convention.

• While thorough for its era, it won’t include developments after 1888 (e.g., 20th-century church reorganisations, secularisation, etc.).

• For modern scholarship one may want to use it alongside more recent research to balance older interpretations.