Saint Oliver Plunkett

Biography

Saint Oliver Plunkett, also known as Oileabhéar Pluincéad or Oliver Plunket, was born on September 30, 1629, at Loughenew, County Meath, Ireland. He came from a noble family that supported King Charles I and the fight for Irish national freedom from England. His upbringing was greatly influenced by his uncle, Patrick, a Cistercian monk who later became the bishop of the Irish dioceses of Ardagh and Meath. In 1647, Oliver began his studies at the newly established Irish College in Rome, Italy. This educational institute was operated by the Jesuits. After several years of dedicated study, he was ordained a priest in Rome in 1654. Oliver had a deep love for the city of Rome, and he decided to remain there as a professor of theology at the Propaganda Fide College. During this time, he also served as the procurator or agent in Rome for the bishops of Ireland. In 1669, Father Oliver was appointed as the archbishop of Armagh, Ireland. This significant appointment made him the primate, or primary Church official, of all Ireland. However, his return to Ireland was not without challenges. There was a lack of discipline among the priests, and many clergy and laity objected to a man from County Meath becoming the bishop of Armagh. Despite these obstacles, Saint Oliver worked tirelessly to restore faith among the people and garner support for his diocese. One of his notable initiatives was the establishment of the Jesuits in Drogheda, where they ran a school for boys and a college for theology students. Additionally, he enforced clerical discipline and actively encouraged students to pursue their studies in Rome. Saint Oliver extended his ministry to Gaelic-speaking Catholics residing in the highlands and isles off the coast of Ireland. However, due to the increasing persecution of Catholics, he was often forced to conduct his ministry covertly. In 1679, Saint Oliver was arrested in Dundalk, Ireland, on charges of conspiring against the state. He was accused of being part of the "Titus Oates" plot to overthrow King Charles II. Initially detained at Dublin Castle, he granted final absolution to Archbishop Peter Talbot of Dublin. Recognizing that Oliver would not be convicted in Ireland, the English authorities had him transferred to Newgate prison in London, England. Saint Oliver's first trial resulted in his acquittal. However, he was not released, and a second trial was orchestrated, which was deemed a complete kangaroo court. Judge Sir Francis Pemberton was heavily criticized by Lord Campbell, who described the trial as a disgrace to himself and his country. Plunkett was wrongfully found guilty of high treason "for promoting the Catholic faith" and sentenced to a gruesome death. On July 1, 1681, Saint Oliver Plunkett was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn in London. He became the last Catholic to suffer martyrdom for his faith on the gallows at Tyburn and was the first of the Irish Martyrs to be beatified. Despite the harsh circumstances of his death, Saint Oliver's legacy continued to inspire veneration. His body was initially buried in two tin boxes alongside five Jesuits who had died before him. His head was kept in Saint Peter's Church in Drogheda, Ireland, and most of his body was eventually transferred to Downside Abbey in Somerset, England. Various relics are also venerated in other churches in Ireland. Pope Benedict XV pronounced the veneration of Saint Oliver Plunkett on March 17, 1918, and beatified him on May 21, 1920. Finally, on October 12, 1975, Pope Paul VI canonized Saint Oliver Plunkett at Rome, Italy. He is considered the patron saint of the Archdiocese of Armagh, Ireland.