James Augustine Healy, an American Roman Catholic bishop, passed away on August 5, 1900. He was the first African American to be ordained a priest in the United States and the first African American bishop. Healy was born to an Irish father and a mixed-race mother in 1830, and he faced numerous challenges throughout his life due to his racial background. Despite this, he rose to prominence in the Catholic Church and served as the Bishop of Portland, Maine, from 1875 until his death. His legacy includes his efforts to serve both the spiritual and social needs of his community, as well as his groundbreaking role in the church’s history.
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