PHELAN, Richard, R. C. bishop, born near Ballyraggett, County Kilkenny, Ireland, 1 January, 1825. He was educated by private tutors, and in the College of St. Kyran, Kilkenny. In 1850 he accompanied Bishop Michael O'Connor to the United States, and entered St. Mary's theological seminary, Baltimore. He was ordained priest in Pittsburg on 4 May, 1854, and sent to Indiana county, where he remained until he was summoned to Pittsburg. He remained for three years attached to the cathedral of this city, and was then appointed pastor of Freeport. In 1868 he became pastor of St. Peter's church. Alleghany. He built a new church at a cost of more than $150,000, and also completed the schools that his predecessor had begun. During the absence of Bishop Twigg in 1881 he was appointed administrator of the dioceses of Pittsburg and Alleghany, and he was subsequently made vicar-general. In 1885 he was nominated coadjutor to the two sees, with right of succession, and on 2 August was consecrated bishop of Cebeyra inpartibus. He resides in Alleghany, and, owing to the feeble health of Bishop Twigg, practically administers the affairs of the two dioceses.