Berney, Michael

Michael Berney (1808-1886), Catholic priest, was born in Tintern Parish County Wexford, Ireland. He arrived in Newfoundland in 1831. He was ordained at the Roman Catholic Chapel in St. John's by Bishop Michael Anthony Fleming on 24 September 1831.

Reverend Berney's first appointment was as a curate to Reverend Thomas Ewer at Harbour Grace (1831-33). In 1833 he was appointed the first parish priest of Burin.

Reverend Berney was a strong proponent of education on the Burin Peninsula, serving as Chairman of the Board of Education for the Electoral District of Burin. "Under his leadership... men of different faiths worked together to bring education to this section of the island." He was later chairman of the Roman Catholic School Board (1846-48); documentation indicates that he also taught night courses. In 1854, Berney established a school in Fox Cove. He played an important role in bringing the Sisters of Mercy to teach in the Burin School (1863).

In 1865 Rev. Berney was paralysed on the right side as a result of exposure to severe wet weather during his missionary tours. He died in Burin at age 78.

Reverend Berney's brother, Richard (d. 27 June 1871) was a medical doctor who served for a short time on the Burin Peninsula and then moved to Carbonear.

Created - April 16, 2013