James Sweeny

Who was James Sweeny?

James Fielding Sweeny was an Anglican bishop. He was the 4th Bishop of Toronto and Archbishop of Ontario, He was born in London, England on November 15, 1857, the son of Lt. Col. James Fielding Sweeny, formerly Her Majesty's staff officer of pensioners at Montreal, and his wife, Anna Maria Fielding.

Sweeny was one of 10 children, and his brothers included George Robert Sweeny, a barrister of Toronto, Charles Sweeny, a Vice President of the CPR, and Roger Sweeny, Commandant of Her Majesty's Indian Army Staff College, and sisters Kathleen Chipman and Georgina, Lady Alymer, wife of Arthur Lovell Aylmer, Lord Aylmer.

He was educated at Montreal High School, at McGill Normal School and at McGill University, and pursued his theological studies at the Montreal Diocesan Theological College. He was ordained deacon and priest, by Bishop Bond. He received from the University of Trinity College, Toronto, the degree of M.A. and B.D. in 1883 and that of D.D., in course, 1885.

On his ordination in 1880, he became Rector of St. Luke's, and Chaplain to the Montreal General Hospital.

In 1882 he became Rector of St. Philips, Toronto.