James Warren Doyle
Encyclopedia
Bishop James Doyle was a Roman Catholic Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin
in Ireland
, who used the signature “JKL”, an acronym from “James Kildare and Leighlin.” A campaigner for Catholic Emancipation
up to 1829, he was also an educator, church organiser and the builder of Carlow
cathedral.
, Co. Wexford
in 1786. He joined the Augustinian order in 1805 at Grantstown, Co. Wexford and then studied for his doctorate at Coimbra
in Portugal
(1806-08). His studies were disturbed by the invasion of Iberia
, during which he served as a sentry in Coimbra and later on h4e accompanied the British Army with Wellington's forces to Lisbon as an interpreter.
Following his return to Ireland, he was ordained to the priesthood on 1 October, 1809 at Enniscorthy
. From 1810-13 he joined the Augustinian community at Ross
and in July 1813 Dr. Doyle was appointed to a professorship at Carlow College
, holding the Chair of Rhetoric
and from 1814, the Professorship of Theology
.
Parish Church on 14 November. During his fifteen year tenure as Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Dr. Doyle earned respect nationwide for his polemics in furtherence of the Catholic position in both Irish and British society, and in supporting the work of the Catholic Association
. His books on pastoral, political, educational and inter-denominational matters provide a rich source of material for social and religious historians (see below). He was a close ally of Daniel O’Connell in the political campaign for Catholic Emancipation
which was finally passed in 1829 by the Wellington government.
. Some of the recalcitrant Catholics had habitually transferred ownership of their livestock to Father Doyle in order to avoid seizure at the town fair. The new proctor requeated their priest's cooperation in handing over the assets. Father Doyle refused, and the proctor, aided by the Irish Constabulary seized some of the livestock. A mass riot broke out at the fair and there were several casualties. A civil disobedience campaign followed, peppered with sporadic violence mostly at country fairs over the seizure of livestock. A period of instability that would become known as the Tithe War
followed.
Doyle was a leader of nonviolent passive aggressive resistance to the Tithe, devoting himself both to strengthening the nonviolent resistance and to discouraging like paramilitary secret societies who had taken to using violence to drive out tithe-collectors and intimidate collaborators. He said: “I maintain the right which [Irish Catholics] have of withholding, in a manner consistent with the law and their duty as subjects, the payment of tithe in kind or in money until it is extorted from them by the operation of the law.”
The ministers of the Church of Ireland, Doyle concluded, are “taking the blanket from the bed of sickness, the ragged apparel from the limbs of the pauper, and selling it by auction for the payment of tithe.”
On another occasion he said:
He was invited to give evidence on the state of Ireland to parliamentary
enquiries in London
in 1825, 1830 and 1832. Asked at one such inquiry to explain his urging his countrymen to resist the tithes, and why he should not feel himself responsible for the violence that accompanied the Tithe War, he replied:
The construction of Carlow Cathedral
of the Assumption
crowned his career and was started in 1828 and finished at the end of November 1833. Bishop Doyle fell ill for a number of months before dying on 15 June 1834. He was buried in his cathedral. A sculpture, by John Hogan
, in memorial to bishop James Doyle was finished in 1839.
Several biographies were written on him before 1900 and his influence on the later Irish Catholic bishops in the period 1834-1900 was considerable. He had proved that negotiations with government could be beneficial to his church, his congregation, and it's finances.
Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin
The Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin is the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin, one of the suffragan dioceses of the Archdiocese of Dublin. The episcopal title takes its name from the towns of Kildare and Old Leighlin in the province of Leinster, Ireland.The see is...
in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, who used the signature “JKL”, an acronym from “James Kildare and Leighlin.” A campaigner for Catholic Emancipation
Catholic Emancipation
Catholic emancipation or Catholic relief was a process in Great Britain and Ireland in the late 18th century and early 19th century which involved reducing and removing many of the restrictions on Roman Catholics which had been introduced by the Act of Uniformity, the Test Acts and the penal laws...
up to 1829, he was also an educator, church organiser and the builder of Carlow
Carlow
Carlow is the county town of County Carlow in Ireland. It is situated in the south-east of Ireland, 84 km from Dublin. County Carlow is the second smallest county in Ireland by area, however Carlow Town is the 14th largest urban area in Ireland by population according to the 2006 census. The...
cathedral.
Early life
James Warren Doyle was born close to New RossNew Ross
New Ross is a town located in southwest County Wexford, in the southeast of Ireland. In 2006 it had a population of 7,709 people, making it the third largest town in the county after Wexford and Enniscorthy.-History:...
, Co. Wexford
Wexford
Wexford is the county town of County Wexford, Ireland. It is situated near the southeastern corner of Ireland, close to Rosslare Europort. The town is connected to Dublin via the M11/N11 National Primary Route, and the national rail network...
in 1786. He joined the Augustinian order in 1805 at Grantstown, Co. Wexford and then studied for his doctorate at Coimbra
Coimbra
Coimbra is a city in the municipality of Coimbra in Portugal. Although it served as the nation's capital during the High Middle Ages, it is better-known for its university, the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the...
in Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
(1806-08). His studies were disturbed by the invasion of Iberia
Peninsular War
The Peninsular War was a war between France and the allied powers of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal for control of the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars. The war began when French and Spanish armies crossed Spain and invaded Portugal in 1807. Then, in 1808, France turned on its...
, during which he served as a sentry in Coimbra and later on h4e accompanied the British Army with Wellington's forces to Lisbon as an interpreter.
Following his return to Ireland, he was ordained to the priesthood on 1 October, 1809 at Enniscorthy
Enniscorthy
Enniscorthy is the second largest town in County Wexford, Ireland. The population of the town and environs is 9538. The Placenames Database of Ireland sheds no light on the origins of the town's name. It may refer either to the "Island of Corthaidh" or the "Island of Rocks". With a history going...
. From 1810-13 he joined the Augustinian community at Ross
Ross
Ross is a region of Scotland and a former mormaerdom, earldom, sheriffdom and county. The name Ross allegedly derives from a Gaelic word meaning a headland - perhaps a reference to the Black Isle. The Norse word for Orkney - Hrossay meaning horse island - is another possible origin. The area...
and in July 1813 Dr. Doyle was appointed to a professorship at Carlow College
Carlow College
Carlow College may mean:In Carlow, County Carlow, Ireland:*Institute of Technology, Carlow*St. Patrick's, Carlow CollegeIn Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States:*Carlow University...
, holding the Chair of Rhetoric
Rhetoric
Rhetoric is the art of discourse, an art that aims to improve the facility of speakers or writers who attempt to inform, persuade, or motivate particular audiences in specific situations. As a subject of formal study and a productive civic practice, rhetoric has played a central role in the Western...
and from 1814, the Professorship of Theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
.
Bishop 1819-1834
Dr. Michael Corcoran, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, died on 22 February, 1819. James Doyle, was a popular choice of the clergy and bishops of the archdiocese of Dublin when he was chosen by the Vatican as his successor. He was formally named in August 1819 and was duly consecrated in CarlowCarlow
Carlow is the county town of County Carlow in Ireland. It is situated in the south-east of Ireland, 84 km from Dublin. County Carlow is the second smallest county in Ireland by area, however Carlow Town is the 14th largest urban area in Ireland by population according to the 2006 census. The...
Parish Church on 14 November. During his fifteen year tenure as Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Dr. Doyle earned respect nationwide for his polemics in furtherence of the Catholic position in both Irish and British society, and in supporting the work of the Catholic Association
Catholic Association
The Catholic Association was an Irish Roman Catholic political organisation set up by Daniel O'Connell in the early nineteenth century to campaign for Catholic emancipation within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. It was one of the first mass-membership political movements in...
. His books on pastoral, political, educational and inter-denominational matters provide a rich source of material for social and religious historians (see below). He was a close ally of Daniel O’Connell in the political campaign for Catholic Emancipation
Catholic Emancipation
Catholic emancipation or Catholic relief was a process in Great Britain and Ireland in the late 18th century and early 19th century which involved reducing and removing many of the restrictions on Roman Catholics which had been introduced by the Act of Uniformity, the Test Acts and the penal laws...
which was finally passed in 1829 by the Wellington government.
Tithe War
In 1830, the new tithe-proctor of Graigue (a parish of 4,779 Catholics and 63 Protestants) decided to break with the tradition of his predecessor and to enforce seizure orders for the collection of arrears of Tithes. Tithes provided financial support of the established Anglican Church of IrelandChurch of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
. Some of the recalcitrant Catholics had habitually transferred ownership of their livestock to Father Doyle in order to avoid seizure at the town fair. The new proctor requeated their priest's cooperation in handing over the assets. Father Doyle refused, and the proctor, aided by the Irish Constabulary seized some of the livestock. A mass riot broke out at the fair and there were several casualties. A civil disobedience campaign followed, peppered with sporadic violence mostly at country fairs over the seizure of livestock. A period of instability that would become known as the Tithe War
Tithe War
The Tithe War was a campaign of nonviolent civil disobedience, punctuated by sporadic violent episodes, in Ireland between 1830-36 in reaction to the enforcement of Tithes on subsistence farmers and others for the upkeep of the established state church - the Church of Ireland...
followed.
Doyle was a leader of nonviolent passive aggressive resistance to the Tithe, devoting himself both to strengthening the nonviolent resistance and to discouraging like paramilitary secret societies who had taken to using violence to drive out tithe-collectors and intimidate collaborators. He said: “I maintain the right which [Irish Catholics] have of withholding, in a manner consistent with the law and their duty as subjects, the payment of tithe in kind or in money until it is extorted from them by the operation of the law.”
The ministers of the Church of Ireland, Doyle concluded, are “taking the blanket from the bed of sickness, the ragged apparel from the limbs of the pauper, and selling it by auction for the payment of tithe.”
But in your opposition to this pest of agriculture and bane of religion, keep always before your eyes a salutary dread of those statutes which guard the tithe. Let no violence or combination to inspire dread be ever found in your proceedings. Justice has no need of such allies. In these countries, if you only obey the law and reverence the constitution, they both will furnish you with ample means whereby to overthrow all oppression, and will secure to you the full enjoyment of every social right.
On another occasion he said:
The advocacy of truth will always excite hostility, and he who enforces justice will ever have to combat against the powers of this world. I have, through life, regardless of danger or injury, sought to maintain the cause of truth and justice against those “who seek after a lie” and “oppress the weak.” We, who are now embarked in this cause, have to renew our determination, and in proportion as power is exerted against us to oppose ourselves to it as a wall of brass. Let us receive but not return its shocks; for if we abide by the law and pursue truth and justice we may suffer loss for a moment, but as certainly as Providence presides over human affairs every arm lifted against us shall not prosper, and against every tongue that contendeth with us we will obtain our cause.Peace, unanimity, and perseverance are, therefore, alone requisite, under the Divine protection, to annihilate the iniquitous tithe system, to lift up the poor from their state of extreme indigence, and consequent immorality, and to prepare the way for the future happiness of our beloved country.
He was invited to give evidence on the state of Ireland to parliamentary
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
enquiries in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1825, 1830 and 1832. Asked at one such inquiry to explain his urging his countrymen to resist the tithes, and why he should not feel himself responsible for the violence that accompanied the Tithe War, he replied:
[N]o man ought to be condemned for exhorting people to pursue justice in a certain line, though he may foresee that in the pursuit of that justice the opposition given to those who are proceeding in a just course may produce collision, and that collision lead to the commission of crime; but our duty, as I conceive, is to seek for the injustice, and there to impute the crime… It is to that injustice, and not to those who pursue a just course for the attainment of a right end, that the guilt is to be ascribed.
Other works
Given his prior experience in education, his major contribution was arguably in helping the establishment of National Schools across Ireland from 1831, the iniiative of Edward Stanley, Chief Secretary of Ireland, which were initially started with a U.K. government grant of £30,000. The proposed system was ahead of state provision for education in England or Scotland at that time. This Model School prototype was, in some respects, experimental. His involvement is a sign of his practicality and foresight. He told his priests:The construction of Carlow Cathedral
Carlow Cathedral
The Cathedral in Carlow is known for its beautifully detailed spire which makes it on of the highest points in town. Across from the Cathedral is a much larger church called St.Mary's which is not a Catholic Church but was built to be one....
of the Assumption
Assumption of Mary
According to the belief of Christians of the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, and parts of the Anglican Communion and Continuing Anglicanism, the Assumption of Mary was the bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into Heaven at the end of her life...
crowned his career and was started in 1828 and finished at the end of November 1833. Bishop Doyle fell ill for a number of months before dying on 15 June 1834. He was buried in his cathedral. A sculpture, by John Hogan
John Hogan (sculptor)
John Hogan was one of Ireland's greatest sculptors.Hogan was born on October 14, 1800 in Tallow, Co. Waterford, spent his youth in the city of Cork, Ireland and, in 1812, was placed as clerk to an attorney. Disliking this occupation, he chose to be apprenticed to the architect Sir Thomas Deane,...
, in memorial to bishop James Doyle was finished in 1839.
Several biographies were written on him before 1900 and his influence on the later Irish Catholic bishops in the period 1834-1900 was considerable. He had proved that negotiations with government could be beneficial to his church, his congregation, and it's finances.
Works
- A Vindication of the religious and civil principles of the Irish Catholics (1823)
- Letter on the state of Ireland (1825)
- An essay on the Catholics claims (1826)
- Letter to Thomas Spring Rice, Esq. M.P. &c: on the establishment of a legal provision for the Irish poor, and on the nature and destination of church property (1831)
See also
- Picture of JKL
- Cardinal Newman
- Cardinal Cullen