Dunboyne's time
Sir: Mary Kenny (Books, 12 January) reflects on the difficult choice facing Irish
clan chiefs called to the priesthood. The Rt Revd John Butler, Roman Catholic Bishop of Cork, encountered the same problem in reverse when he unexpectedly succeeded to the title of Lord Dunboyne, as the last male in the direct line, on the early death of his nephew in 1786. To continue the story in the words of W. M. Brady (The Episcopal Succession in England, Scotland and Ireland Vol. 11): His Lordship, although then over seventy years of age, wished to marry in order that the direct line of succession might not become extinct, and sought a dispensation from Pope Pius VI, who rejected his applica- tion with natural disgust. The aged Bishop then renounced obedience to the Church, married his cousin (a Protestant)4 and profes- sed himself a Protestant. He rarely, howev- er, attended Protestant worship. No issue came of this unfortunate marriage, and Lord Dunboyne died on 8 May 1800.
On his deathbed, the thoughts of the former Bishop returned from the future of his line to that of his soul; and, as Brady tells us:
Before death, Divine Grace changed the heart of the erring prelate, who sent for Father Gahan, a celebrated Augustinian Friar, confessed his sins, and was received back into the Church.
Mark Pinkerton
44 Elaine Street, Belfast
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