Daniel Mannix, Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne

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Born in County Cork, Ireland in 1864, Daniel Mannix studied for the Catholic priesthood at Maynooth seminary (County Kildare) and was ordained in 1890. A gifted scholar and theologian, he became a member of the teaching staff at Maynooth in 1895 and gained appointment as the seminary’s president in 1903. He was consecrated a bishop in 1912.



In 1913 Mannix accepted appointment as coadjutor archbishop of the Archdiocese of Melbourne, which provided a path of succession to the ageing Archbishop Thomas Carr. On Carr’s death in 1917, Mannix became Archbishop of Melbourne, a position he occupied for 45 years until his death (at age 99) in 1963.



Mannix was well known for his involvement in the campaigns opposing the 1916 and 1917 conscription referendums in Australia, which went against the views of Prime Minister Hughes. He also supported the cause for home rule in his native Ireland and as a result, while travelling through Europe in 1921, British security forces refused him entry into Ireland.



Through the 1940s and 1950s, Mannix lent his support to Catholic initiatives that opposed the growth of communism in Australia, including the Catholic Social Studies Movement, the National Civic Council and the charismatic Bartholomew Augustine ('BA') Santamaria.



In recognition of his service as Chaplain-General to the Australian Armed Forces from 1917 until his death, the 'Last post' was played at Mannix’s funeral in November 1963.

Records held by the National Archives on Daniel Mannix relate principally to his role opposing conscription during World War I and security concerns over his support for Irish home rule. Records relating to his role as Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne are also held. A selection of records is listed below, including some photographs.



You may also identify further sources on the RecordSearch database using the keyword 'mannix' along with terms such as 'archbishop', 'rev*', and 'doctor or 'dr'.

World War I and aftermath
Title or description of record Date range Series, item number
Archbishop Mannix 1920–21 A1606, F42/1
Press reports and correspondence 1917–22 A1606, F42/1 attachment 1
Representations regarding Archbishop Mannix 1920–21 A1606, F42/1 attachment 2
Disloyal utterances – Dr Mannix – oath of allegiance 1921 A1606, F42/1 attachment 3
Dr Mannix – Archbishop of Melbourne 1927 A1606, F42/1 attachment 4
Archbishop Mannix 1917–20 A11804, 1920/751
Lieutenant JF Fletcher – intercepted correspondence with Dr D Mannix – re conscription 1917–20 A11804, 1920/751
Reverend Dr D Mannix – anti-conscription and anti-British utterances – Sinn Feiner 1918–24 A8911, 240
Dr Mannix – return to Australia 1921 A1, 1921/15177
Photograph of fourteen Victoria Cross heroes forming guard of honour to Dr Mannix – St Patrick's Day 1921 A1861, 4691
Photograph of group of Roman Catholic clergy, including Archbishop Mannix, at Hotel Canberra 1927 A3560, 2679
Appointment of Most Reverend D Mannix 1917 A2023, A82/1/215
Reinforcements Referendum Council – re Councillor May’s public reaction to Archbishop Mannix’s anti-conscription campaign 1917 MP367/1, 582/1/176
Activities of Irish Republican Brotherhood and Dr Mannix 1919 B741, V/159
Official History, 1914–18 War – biographical and other research files (includes a file on Dr Mannix) 1914–19 AWM43, A565

Later years
Title or description of record Date range Series, item number
JB Chifley papers – correspondence 'M' (includes letter from Most Rev D Mannix relating to Melbourne Catholic Diocesan Centenary) 1946–48 M1455, 317
Photograph of Dr Daniel Mannix standing in front of church entrance 1948 A9121, L2680
Photograph of Dr Daniel Mannix in grounds of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne 1948 A1200, L2678
Decorations and awards – Italian awards – Archbishop Mannix 1953–54 A1838, 1535/18/3
RG Menzies papers – consecration of colours – religious ceremony dispute 1954 (includes correspondence with Archbishop Mannix) 1954–56 M2576, 112
Appointment of Archbishop Mannix as Vicar Delegate for US Forces in Australia – complaint 1942 MP508/1, 56/701/151
Archbishop Mannix – arrangement of solemn requiem mass for the soul of the late General Sikorski, Prime Minister of Poland 1943 MP150/1, 462/201/2259

For more information

To read more about the two conscription referendums and opposition to conscription please see Fact sheet 161 - Conscription referendums, 1916 and 1917.