LISBON COLLEGE REGISTER 1628-1813
167
July 1671 chosen Bishop of Portalegre; ordained Sept. Jan 1672 solemn installation. Repaired many churches ruined in long Spanish- Portuguese war; cast new bells; rebuilt episcopal palace; renovated cathedral; reformed discipline, clerical and lay, and introduced many pious works still remembered gratefully in diocese. About 1682 [see note] promoted to Vizeu; died Nov 15 1693, aged 63. Called a diocesan Synod and published reforming constitutions at his own expense. Had translations made of Catechism [of the Council of Trent] and of Cardinal Bona's treatise on preparing for Mass. Built a hospice in Capuchin Convent and a novitiate for Benedictine nuns. Wrote following ad limina report for Innocent XI, March 28 1692. Bishop of Vizeu has considerable revenues: after deducting pensions under royal control, expenses of buildings, of seminary and of a large household, the rest goes on the poor and good works: feeding and clothing poor, caring for sick, providing dowries for poor girls and novices and supporting and educating young men in English College in Lisbon for the English mission. In his last year had serious conflict with his Canons; some fled, some were imprisoned. A fierce upholder of Church rights. Very strict in examining ordinands, especially before subdiaconate. Never ordained anyone illegitimate, even with papal dispensation. Modelled his household on College, with reading at meals and litanies at night. Note: Arrived at Douai from Holland Dec 9 1651; place of origin is Buckland, Berkshire; June 4 1653 profession of faith; June 5 minors; 7 subd. and diac. Sept 20 1653 priesthood at Valencienne. Oct 22 1653 missioner to England (CRS 11: 513, 524-5, 527). Bishop of Vizeu Sept 10 1685 (R. RitzIer and P. Sefrin, Hierarchia Catholica medii et recentioris aevi, Vol. 5, 417). LC has his portrait (reproduced by Croft); RP has about 50 documents, mainly diplomatic papers from 1660s; RRL has about 140 letters of 1667- 83 from Russell to Watkinson, President. Inventory of estate in Wills Feb 1794 and OC 290. On Russell and College see RS. On Russell's career see J. J. C[rowley], 'Dr Richard Russell (1630-1693), Bishop of Vizeu', Lisbonian: Dec 1933,11-16; July 1934, 9-16; Dec 1934, 11-21; July 1935, 12-16; Dec 1935, 17-22; June 1936, 17- 20.
RUSSELL, Thomas [1645THOMAS RUSSELLUS, Bercheriensis, honesto loco natus [All in Tilden's hand:] Hic frater fuit D. Richardi Russelli, de quo supra pagina 35. Cum esset annorum quatuordecim, quos compleverat 18 Ianuarii 1659, et in studia literarum humaniorum bonum progressum fecisset, secundus ex quarta missione ad Latinitatem huc appulit 29 Aprilis 1659. 59; G, 246. (Berkshire.) Born Jan 18 1645. Brother of Richard. Came, 2nd of 4th Latin mission, when he had already made some progress in Latin, April 29 1659.