There has been much written about the Easter Rising in Dublin,
the execution of the Leaders, and the journey towards the signing of the Treaty
of 1921. Today we arrive at the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Rising. The first the Capuchins heard of the Rising was a “startling
burst of fire” almost outside the door of St. Mary of the Angels Church, on
Church St on that Easter Monday morning, April 24th 1916. They were
just finishing their midday meal when all this began to happen. This was also
following what would have been a busy time for the priests and the brothers in
the Friary with the Easter ceremonies. No doubt they were looking forward to
some rest during these next few days.
Fr. Columbus (Murphy) tells of rushing outside to meet
walking wounded and a doctor ministering to a man shot in the arm. There were
some accounts of soldiers of the Sixth Cavalry Regiment taking gun powder to
the Phoenix Park and coming under fire at the Four Courts. At this stage, no
one seemed to have any idea that the beginnings of a rebellion was taking
place. Later, he learns of a small boy, John Francis Foster (2) being killed in
his pram outside the Father Mathew Hall.
The Hall seems to have become a flash point as the week progresses as
members of Cumann na mBan tend to people’s injuries in the Hall and the more
seriously injured are taken to the Richmond Hospital.
Frs. Columbus and Aloysius (Travers) are on duty that week
supplying Mass in both Jervis St Hospital and Gloucester Street Convent so they
are making their way over each morning through the chaos. Fr. Columbus gives a
very comprehensive account of the noise of incessant gunfire, the blast of
cannon fire, and the eventual destruction of many buildings in Dublin City
Centre and indeed O’ Connell Street. He also risks serious injury and even his
life to perform his priestly duties to those killed and injured.
As the week wears on and the casualties increase, the priests
from Church St continue to be involved in the relief work. This is perhaps
because they are on the ground where the action is happening, also because they
are hi-visibility in their religious habits. They endeavour to be honest
brokers in ministering to those killed and injured and their families. Fr.
Columbus in his memoir tells of how on April 29th Padraig Pearse
formally surrenders the GPO Garrison “To avoid further slaughter” and Columbus
travels with Elizabeth Farrell, a Cumann na mBan nurse, who attempts to
convince Edward Daly at the Four Courts Garrison that Pearse’s surrender was
genuine. This then spreads to the other Garrisons over the next few days. Fr.
Aloysius and Fr. Augustine (Hayden) mediate negotiations between the British
authorities and Thomas MacDonagh (Jacob’s Biscuit Factory) and Éamonn Ceannt
(South Dublin Union) for the peaceful capitulation of the men and women under
their command.
When the leaders were imprisoned in Kilmainham gaol and court
martialled, the Capuchin priests were called upon to come to minister to them
and give them spiritual support. They were taken by car very late each night
and driven to Kilmainham gaol where they would meet the prisoners individually.
By extension, they made themselves available to some of the families of the men
too, and they also ministered to some of the women prisoners, most of whom were
members of Cumann na mBan.
The executions began on May 3rd 1916 when Fr.
Aloysius heard the last confessions of Padraig Pearse and Thomas MacDonagh. He
was ordered form Kilmainham Jail before they were executed. Later following
protests, the priests were allowed to remain present for the executions to
complete the administration of the Last Rites of the Church. Tom Clarke was
attended by Fr. Columbus.
On the 4th of May, Fr. Aloysius notes in his
memoir that Fr. Augustine Hayden ministered to Joseph Mary Plunkett, he also
ministered to Michael O’Hanrahan, and William Pearse. Fr. Columbus Murphy
ministered to Edward Daly. Fr. Albert Bibby, and Fr. Sebastian O’Brien were
also in attendance that night.
On the 5th of May, Fr. Augustine was in attendance
for John McBride.
On the 8th of May 1916, Fr. Augustine was in
attendance at the executions of Éamonn Ceannt, Con Colbert, And Michael Mallin.
Fr. Albert Bibby was in attendance for Seán Heuston.
Finally, on May 12th Fr. Aloysius ministered to
James Connolly (both before in Dublin Castle, and then in Kilmainham Gaol) and
was in attendance at his execution. He notes that Fr. Eugene McCarthy of
James’s St and chaplain to Kilmainham, ministered to Seán MacDiarmada earlier but
Aloysius then attended to him after the shooting.
Having read through some of the accounts Frs. Columbus and
Aloysius (Aloysius much later ministered to Jim Larkin before his death in
1947) It shows to me the commitment, the bravery, and the selflessness of these
priests who were primarily pastors of souls in their ministry. They were on
hand night and day to try to bring pastoral care and hope to the many people
who were deeply affected by the violence and chaos of the Rising. I’ve no doubt
that they were also moved by the bravery of the 1916 Leaders who were executed.
Humanly speaking, reading their accounts, I am also moved by
how they stayed sane following what most have been a deeply stressful time for
them seeing the things they did. Today those of us in ministry will be involved
at times in critical incidents and we have structures in place to help us in
our pastoral ministry. In the days following the executions for example, Fr.
Columbus travels to Dundalk to give a two-week Parish Mission. He pens his
memoir in the following months as a way of recording the week that was. I also
believe he writes it to help him cope with what must have deeply ingrained
itself in his soul – as it has done on the soul of Ireland and indeed the
world.
Top left; Fr. Columbus Murphy, Bottom left; Fr. Augustine Hayden, Middle; Fr. Albert Bibby, Top right, Fr. Aloysius Travers, Bottom right, Fr. Sebastian O'Brien