Fr Eugene Sweeney: St Oliver Plunkett didn’t succumb to despair on his quest for justice and peace, so neither should we

11 Feb 2025

Caption  In 2019 Archbishop Eamon Martin unveiled and blessed the bronze statue of Saint Oliver Plunkett in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, to honour all martyrs for the faith. The statue had been sculptured by Dublin-born artist Dony MacManus. Archbishop Martin said, “in this sculpture of Saint Oliver we see the face of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who humbly gave His life for us on the Cross.” (Catholic Communications Office archive)

  • Launch of ‘Saint Oliver Plunkett 400’ commemorative booklet 

The 400th anniversary of the birth of the martyred Saint Oliver Plunkett will be celebrated at a service this Wednesday in Drogheda.  You, or a representative, are invited to attend a photocall.  Details: 

Time and date  Wednesday, 12 February 2025, at 11.00am.

Venue  Initially to gather outside of Saint Peter’s Jubilee Church, Drogheda, Co Louth, Archdiocese of Armagh, the location of the National Shrine and memorial church of Saint Oliver Plunkett where his head and some bone-relics are preserved.  A forty-five minute service will follow inside the church.

In attendance  Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland; Father Eugene Sweeney, Parish Priest of Saint Peter’s Church, Drogheda; Father Paul Clayton-Lea, editor of Intercom, who will launch the commemorative booklet; local clergy; Councillor Paddy McQuillan Mayor/Cathaoirleach of Drogheda Borough District; Councillor Kevin Callan, Cathaoirleach, Louth County Council; members/councillors of LCC, Drogheda urban and rural; Joe McGuinness, Acting Chief Executive, LCC; David Conway, Chief Executive Designate, LCC; Colette Moss, Senior Executive Officer, LCC; Moya Hodgers, Acting Arts Officer, LCC, as well as staff and students from Saint Oliver’s National School, and from Saint Oliver’s Community College.

Photographs  from the photocall, for publication by media, can be sourced on www.liammcardle.com  Please credit photographer Liam McArdle.
 
Quote for publication  Ahead of this special celebration on Wednesday morning, Father Sweeney said: “Oliver Plunkett lived at a remarkably difficult and chaotic time.  His resilience, courage and constant efforts for peace and justice are truly inspiring, and therefore it is appropriate to honour his memory not just in Ireland but further afield.  We warmly welcome all to the National Shrine of Saint Oliver at Saint Peter’s Church, Drogheda, in this special year to honour the martyred Archbishop.  We urge pilgrims to pray for peace throughout the world through his intercession, to share with the Lord in the Saint’s presence all their hopes and joys, and leave to him their stresses and sufferings, trials and tribulations.  We are honoured that Saint Peter’s Church has been designated a Jubilee Church in this Jubilee Year of Hope.  Saint Oliver Plunkett did not succumb to despair, and neither should we 400 years later.”

ENDS

This year, 2025, also marks the fiftieth anniversary of the canonisation of Saint Oliver by then Pope – now Saint – Paul VI, in 1975.  Along with Saints Patrick and Malachy, Saint Oliver is a patron saint of the Archdiocese of Armagh.