Mannix, Daniel (1864-1963), was Roman Catholic archbishop of Melbourne from 1917 until his death. He was one of the most active religious leaders of his time. He became a controversial figure in Australian political and public life as a result of his pronouncements on social and political questions. He denounced World War I (1914-1918) as a “trade war” and strongly opposed conscription (compulsory military service). He took a leading part in founding the anti-Communist Australian Democratic Labor Party.
Mannix was born on March 4, 1864, in County Cork, Ireland. He was president of Maynooth College in Ireland from 1903 until 1912, when he was appointed coadjutor archbishop of Melbourne. Mannix worked to establish churches and schools in Australia, including Corpus Christi Seminary at Werribee, Victoria, in 1923. Mannix died on Nov. 6, 1963.
