Annual St Brigid’s Day Lecture
Posted on 30. Jan, 2012
The Diocese of Down and Connor
marks the 400th anniversary of the martyrdom of
Blessed Conor O’Devany
The Annual St Brigid’s Day Lecture will be delivered on 11th February at 3.00pm in St Bride’s Hall, Derryvolgie Avenue, Belfast by Dr John McCafferty of UCD on the topic of “Blessed Conor O’Devany, Bishop of Down and Connor”.
Most Rev Noel Treanor DD, Bishop of Down and Connor, will celebrate Mass at 6pm in St Brigid’s Church, Belfast. The sermon will be given by the Franciscan Provincial. All are most welcome to attend.
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London, having decided to make an example of a Catholic Bishop to underline its authority, charged Blessed Conor O’Devany, the Donegal Franciscan, with treason. On the scaffold he refused preferment in the established church rather than deny the Pope. His courage during his gruesome execution inspired Dublin, outraged Europe and is credited with keeping Ireland faithful to Rome.
His non-recognition of the court enraged his judge who shouted that Christ had recognised Pilate. Blessed Conor replied that if the judge wished to take Pilate’s role he would accept that of Christ. In imitation of his master he spoke no more.
This commemoration reminds us of how bad things religious and civil can be and shows us how far we have come but more importantly how much farther we have to go. Blessed Conor shows us the way by his prayerful resolution and spirit of forgiveness while making the ultimate sacrifice in witnessing to the truth.
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