He was educated at the Franciscan school at Baddesley (1823–28), and at Old Hall, where he remained for forty years, and held in turn every office.
With a view to invigorate the future secular clergy, Archbishop Henry Edward Manning, also a convert to Roman Catholicism, albeit from Anglicanism, thought it necessary that the control of the seminary should be in the hands of his newly formed congregation, the Oblates of St. Charles.
Under Manning's influence, Cardinal Nicholas Wiseman appointed a staff at St Edmund's College, Ware, who were neither desired nor welcomed by the president (1855–56).
Dr. Weathers' own appreciation of higher ideals is indicated by the remodelling of the college rules during his presidency, and by the invitation and firm support given to Dr. Ward, a convert and a layman, as lecturer in theology (1852–58).
in 1845, became a canon of Westminster in 1851, was named a domestic prelate to Pope Pius IX in 1869, and was consecrated bishop, as auxiliary to Archbishop Manning, in 1872.