Limerick Diocesan archivist David Bracken joins John and Shane this week to share some of the story of Edward O'Dwyer the former bishop of Limerick who died in 1917.
Born at Holy Cross, Co. Tipperary, Edward Thomas O'Dwyer was educated at the C.B.S. in Limerick and at St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he was ordained in June 1867. Having served as CC in Rathkeale, Bruff, St. Patrick’s Adare, Newcastle West and St. Michael’s, he was appointed bishop in May 1886. One of the most famous Irish bishops of the late nineteenth century, he was also one of the most controversial. Honoured by Pope Leo XIII for his part against the Plan of Campaign, he ended his life with approval from his people for his stand against General Maxwell in the wake of the 1916 Rising.
General Maxwell wrote to various Bishops directing them to remove suspect priests from the active ministry. But he picked the wrong man in Bishop O’Dwyer when he named two priests in his Diocese who had preached against the dangers of conscription and whom the general regarded as being a dangerous menace to the peace and safety of the realm. Bishop O'Dwyers response was published and gained him national and international renown.