Oliver Plunkett (1625-81) and the Popish Plot
The Popish Plot in Ireland
May 13, 2009 Joseph Allen McCullough
Beginning with the 1641 uprising, Ireland became embroiled in a long, confusing war that eventually became tangled up in the English Civil War. The war came to a close in 1652, when English forces under the leadership of the Oliver Cromwell crushed Irish resistance. With the defeat, many Catholics were forced from their homes, while priests and bishops were hunted like animals. This changed with the Restoration in 1660. Although the new King Charles II was a Protestant, he showed a mildness and toleration towards Catholics. The church in Ireland came out from hiding once more.
The Popish Plot
Charles II’s tolerance of the Catholic religion did not sit well with many in England. One such anti-Catholic was Titus Oates, who created the rumour that a band of Jesuits planned to assassinate Charles, in order to replace him with his Catholic brother, James. The plot was used as the justification for a new round of persecution against Catholics, and eighteen priests were executed in England.
Oliver Plunkett (1625-81)
Oliver Plunkett was the son of minor Catholic landowner in Ireland, who went to Rome to seek his education in the Church. In 1669 he was appointed the Bishop of Armagh and returned to Ireland. With the destruction brought by the Confederate War and the Cromwellian administration, Plunkett spent much of his time rebuilding and reforming the church in Ireland. Despite his good intentions, he made many enemies during his reforming efforts, enemies that would later testify against him.
The Popish Plot in Ireland
The Popish Plot had a lesser effect in Ireland for a number of reasons: a greater percentage of the population was Catholic, there was no Irish Parliament at this time, and the King’s deputy was the tolerant Earl of Ormond. Despite this, things reached a head in 1678 when all Catholic bishops were banished – though few actually left the island. Oliver Plunkett was arrested in 1679 and tried for treason. The first trial against him collapsed, but then he was transferred to England to be retried.
This second trial was a farce. Although a parade of Plunkett’s enemies testified against him, they could produce no evidence. Despite this, Plunkett was found guilty and sentence to execution. Oliver Plunkett accepted the decision with grace. He was executed on 1 July 1781.
Saint Oliver Plunkett
Oliver Plunkett was recognized as a martyr by the Catholic Church. He was beatified in 1920 and promoted to Sainthood in 1975.
Source:
The Oxford Companion to Irish History, Ed. S J. Connolly, Oxford University Press, 1998.
What do you think about this article?
More in History
Latest Articles