Thomas Hussey

Bishop Thomas Hussey (1746 – 11 July 1803) was a diplomat, chaplain and Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Waterford and Lismore from 1797 to his death. He is best known for taking part in talks with Richard Cumberland in an attempt to arrange a peace treaty between Spain and Britain during the American War of Independence. Early life Hussey was born at Ballybogan, County Meath in 1746. The restrictions of the Penal Laws made Hussey gp to the Irish College at Salamanca for his religious training. He joined the Trappists upon completion of his studies. Diplomatic career Given Hussey's ability, the Pope requested him to take Holy Orders. Hussey was associated for a time with the court of the King of Spainand soon became prominent in Madrid. Around 1767 he was appointed chaplain to the Spanish embassy in London. In 1793 to 1796, shortly after the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1791 jas repealed some of the laws affecting Catholic worship, a chapel, St James's, Spanish Place, was built to designs by Joseph Bonomi. Hussey became rector of the chapel. Embassies that maintained their own Catholic chapels provided a safe place for the London Catholic community to worship, and many of them had a number of English-speaking chaplains on staff. When the Spanish ambassador had to leave London because Spain took sides against Britain during the American War of Independence, Dr. Hussey became Spain's unofficial diplomatic contact. After discussions with the government of Lord North, Hussey was sent to Madrid to discuss Spain's withdrawal from the American cause. Upon his return to Madrid, he attracted the notice of English Catholics in exile and was deputed by the English Catholics to go to Rome to lay their position before the pope, but the Spanish embassy would not grant him leave of absence.