Bishop Charles Davis’ Management and Leadership Skills as Coadjutor to Archbishop John Bede Polding (1848–54)

Abstract

Davis arrived in Sydney in December 1848 from Downside Abbey and immediately took up administrative duties at St Mary’s monastery attached to St Mary’s cathedral. Australia's first Catholic Archbishop, John Bede Polding osb, lacked business expertise and found it hindered his missionary work within the colony, causing him to depend on others to introduce planning policies, along with the general management of the Sydney Archdiocese. Davis was hand-picked by Polding to achieve this. During Polding’s lengthy missionary journeys, Davis showed guidance, compassion and understanding towards the monks at St Mary’s, especially given feelings of dissatisfaction were developing within the monastery during the late 1840s due to Gregory’s questionable leadership style. This article will explore the management and leadership skills of Bishop Charles Davis (1815–1854), during his role as coadjutor to Australia’s first Catholic Archbishop, John Bede Polding.