26 March 2009

Michael Creedon

Roman Catholic priest

Pastor of St. Peter's Church, Butler, Pennsylvania (1847-1850); St. John the Baptist Church, Lockport, Niagara County, New York (1852- ); St. Patrick's, Lockport (founding pastor, 1857-58); Holy Family Church, Auburn.

In a sermon at Holy Family Church shortly after the outbreak of the Civil War, Fr. Creedon expressed his support for the cause of the Union:

"I wish every man who can leave his family to enlist. This is the first country the Irishman ever had that he hcould call his own country. The flag of stars and stripes, the only flag he can fight under and defend as his own flag. Now is the time of a nation's peril. Let every Irishman show that he is worthy to be a part of a great and glorious nationality... Let every rishman show he is true to the flag which always protects him."

Inspired by their pastor, sixty men went in a body from the church to the armory and were sworn in.