On the death of his uncle, he spent the legacy he received, in going to Rome, where he studied theology at the English College, and was ordained priest on 4 July 1841.
[1] On his return to England, early in March, 1842, he was sent to St. Wilfrids Church, Manchester, but in the following October he was appointed vice-president of the newly founded college of St. Edward, Everton, near Liverpool.
He was consecrated by Cardinal Wiseman, at Liverpool, 25 September 1853, and as there was no pressing need of his services, he took the opportunity to pay a long visit to Rome.
His fearless denunciation of social evils, and his outspoken expression of opinion attracted the notice of the Press, and even The Times devoted special attention to his speeches.
): "A prey to disease during the greater part of his episcopate, his life was the struggle of a fearless soul with bodily ailments and with the harassing mental anxieties incidental to his position."