06-07-2025
Leader of Catholic Church puts ‘brutal slaughter' in Gaza and wars in Ukraine and Sudan under the intercession of St Oliver Plunkett
Referring to St Oliver's role as 'patron saint for peace and reconciliation in Ireland', Archbishop Eamon Martin told the Irish Independent that during the Troubles many people had prayed to his predecessor, who was Archbishop of Armagh when he was martyred for his faith in London on July 1, 1981, to bring lasting peace.
'Thank God peace has lasted in the North and throughout this island,' Dr Martin said. 'I think there is still a need to turn to St Oliver for peace in the world today and for forgiveness, reconciliation and healing.'
Speaking after celebrating mass in St Peter's Church in Drogheda to mark the 400th anniversary of the birth of St Oliver Plunkett, Dr Martin said the saint, who was canonised fifty years ago in 1975, 'worked for peace during his time as a bishop and tried to reconcile rival factions within the church and among religious congregations and the clergy.'
'He also built really good relationships with the protestant clergy and the protestant archbishop. He modelled peace in his life and he modelled peace and reconciliation in his death.'
The National Shrine of St Oliver Plunkett is located in St Peter's Church in Drogheda where his head and some relics are preserved.
When St Oliver was canonised in 1975, he was the first Irish saint to be elevated in over 700 years.
During Sunday's Mass, Lord Dunsay, Randal Plunkett, a blood relative of the saint, was one of those who brought up gifts at the offertory.
Speaking to the Irish Independent afterwards, Lord Dunsany, who is a filmmaker and rewilding advocate, explained that he is one of the closest living relatives of the martyred former Primate of Ireland, who was hung drawn and quartered by the British authorities in Tyburn on a trumped up charge.
'We have some of his relics and we are the guardians of that. We are very proud to be part of this event. St Oliver wanted to uplift and protect people who didn't have a voice. 400 years later, the lessons are still to be learnt,' he said.
Flanked by his wife Laura Plunkett and his daughter, Lord Dunsany added: 'If St Oliver were here today, he would certainly tell us we have to learn to forgive and we have to learn to be better to each other.'
During the Mass, which was attended by the Papal Nuncio, archbishops, bishops, priests, members of Drogheda City Council, as well as politicians and civic and religious representatives, a chalice was used which is believed to have belonged to St Oliver Plunkett.
Dr Martin explained that the chalice, which is held by the Diocese of Meath, is engraved with a horseman. 'For that reason we think it is perhaps associated with Oliver Plunkett because he went around his diocese on horseback often in disguise.'
Ahead of the mass, the relics of the Saint were processed through the centre of Drogheda.
Aontú Party Leader, Peadar Tobin TD, was among those who congregated on the steps of St peter's Church after the ceremony.
Explaining that he attended St Oliver Plunkett school in Navan, Mr Tobin said the context of Oliver Plunkett's martyrdom was one in which 'people of faith and Irish culture suffered so much'.
Referring to the 'turmoil' of today's world, the Meath TD said that between the movement of people and migration as well as the stresses and strains of wars and what is happening in Gaza, St Oliver Plunkett's message of love was as relevant as ever.
'For cohesion to exist in a society we need to see the humanity in each other and we need to be generous in how we engage with other,' he said.
The TD also highlighted that St Oliver Plunkett had promoted pluralism in his own lifetime and had set up the first integrated school in Drogheda where Catholics and protestants were educated together.
The Papal Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor, paid tribute to the Irish saint saying his message was one for 'our fragmented world in which there is a tendency to make might prevail instead of reason and rights".
'This saint teaches us that we have to persevere in forgiveness because we have to give enemies the opportunity for reconciliation.
'Everywhere where there is violence and hate, in every theatre of war and conflict in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and Myanmar, the only way bring peace and avoid new conflicts is through a show of love. We need to give enemies the opportunity to change. We need to convince them,' the Pope's representative in Ireland said.
