Quick facts about Archbishop Leo Taylor
Quick facts about Archbishop Leo Taylor
Archbishop Leo Hale Taylor, SMA
The Great Shepherd, our founder (First Archbishop of Lagos)
- Born on September 29, 1889 in Duluth (USA) of American parents
- Ordained to the priesthood on June 21, 1914 in the Society of African Missions, SMA (Société Missions Africanes)
- The work of evangelization brought him to Nigeria as a young priest under the auspices of the SMA
- On January 28, 1928 he assumed office as the first principal of the prestigious St. Gregory’s College, Lagos. He worked assiduously in this office to ensure a balanced curriculum that would make young men actively take their rightful place in the society
- On February 26, 1934 after the death of Bishop Thomas Broderick he was consecrated Bishop of Asaba; a position he held till 1939
- June 13, 1939: Appointed Vicar Apostolic of the Costa di Benin, Nigeria
- His love and belief for education, especially Catholic education, irrespective of gender, made him to establish many schools. Amongst the schools is Holy Child College, Lagos (for girls)
- On January 18, 1943 he saw the birth of the first indigenous Congregation in the Western part of Nigeria – Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus – A Congregation dear to his heart
- April 18, 1950: Became the first Archbishop of Lagos when the diocese of Lagos was raised to the status of Archdiocese
- October 27, 1965: Died
Other Facts – He was:
- A highly cultured shepherd with a great sense of beauty; endowed with a sharp intellect
- A great leader with foresight and attractive quality
- An embodiment of humility and simplicity
- A disciplinarian to the core
- A socialite
- He was a strong devotee of the Holy Eucharist, Sacred Heart of Jesus, and of the Blessed Virgin. No wonder he gave the name, Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, to the Congregation he founded, and urged the Sisters to have a warm devotion towards the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- He promoted relations with people of other faith.
- His happiest moments were times of prayer, meditation, and study.