People of Interest

Chiniquy’s story did not always support known facts such as Chiniquy implied that Abraham Lincoln had acted for him in his victory over Bishop O’Regan. In fact Lincoln had been his lawyer in the two suits involving Spink where there was actually no victory for Chiniquy.

There were also questionable figures regarding the number of converts and the amount of money he collected.

In 1895 Chiniquy began a second autobiography, “Forty Years in the Church of Christ” and was actively converting Quebec Catholics. His most famous convert was Louis Joseph Amédée Papineau son of the famous rebel, later to become known as a “Father of Confederation, Joseph Papineau.

In 1897 Chiniquy was once again on a lecture tour, this time in England. Here he made 85 speeches before he was suddenly stricken by ill health and forced to abandon the tour.

Back in his home in Montreal he refused to give in to illness. Three years after his return home he was again stricken by ill health. This time there was wild speculation as to whether this former Catholic priest would return to his church.

A personal attempt was by the Archbishop of Montreal, Paul Bruchési who sent a letter to the family requesting they encourage their father to return to the Catholic Church.