John Butler, 12th Baron Dunboyne
Encyclopedia
John Butler, 12th Baron Dunboyne (1731 – 7 May 1800) was an Irish
clergyman and aristocrat
, Roman Catholic Bishop of Cork. In order to advance his temporal title, he became, , the only authenticated apostate in the Catholic hierarchy in Ireland.
Leinster
and Munster
. However, the family was subject to the British government's policy of curtailment of civil rights
of Irish Catholics (see, Ireland 1691–1801:The Penal Laws).
Raised a Roman Catholic, John early acknowledged a vocation
for the Church. His brothers, Pierce and Edmond chose the army
and left the family home to fight in the War of the Austrian Succession
. Butler commenced his studies at the Irish College
in Rome
, managing to lose his left eye in unknown circumstances, and was ordained
priest
in 1755 in the Basilica of St. John Lateran
. He returned to Ireland in 1758, having completed his doctorate
, though his Catholic credentials entailed an interview before a Justice of the Peace
in Whitehaven
. Butler returned to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly
, being appointed parish priest of Ardmayle in 1759. While he was establishing his place in the Church hierarchy, becoming an archdeacon
and secretary to the bishop, he was also bolstering his secular role in the Butler family network.
fell vacant in 1763 and Butler won immediate support as the leading candidate, being appointed by Pope Clement XIII
in 1763. The years following his appointment marked a gradual improvement in the civil disabilities of Catholics in Ireland and the relaxation afforded the Church the opportunity finally to implement the decrees of the Council of Trent
in respect of the Irish hierarchy. Butler led the changes but was careful to use his secular network and status to maintain relationships with the Protestant establishment. For fear of Protestant sentiment, Butler stalled Nano Nagle
's establishment of the Ursulines
in Cork until 1771 and published a condemnation of the 1766 Cork coopers' riots.
Stole fees and other dues were resented and sometimes provided a pretext for Whiteboy violence towards Anglican clergy. Butler issued a declaration, Statuta synodalia pro dioecesi Corcagiensi (1768), that involvement in the Whiteboys was a reserved sin. He supported the Test Act 1774 and gave substantial financial backing to the Catholic Committee.
In December 1786, he resigned as bishop and asked the pope for a dispensation from his vow of celibacy. No dispensation was given. In despite of the refusal, in 1787 he married Maria (1764/5-1860), daughter of Theobald Butler, and took the oath of allegiance
, abjuration
, and supremacy
.
He moved to his ancestral home at Dunboyne
, County Meath
, where the couple had a daughter who died young, and then to Dublin. Dunboyne, and the Catholic chapel, were burned in the 1798 rising.
In 1800, an aged and infirm Butler wrote a letter of repetenance to the pope, executed a will
, and made his confession
to Catholic priest Fr. William Gahan. He died in Dublin and was buried in the Augustinian
friary at Fethard
, County Tipperary
.
and litigation from his family, notably by his sister, Mrs. Catherine O'Brien-Butler of Bansha
Castle, County Tipperary, was swift. The legality of the will was challenged as the Penal Laws deprived Catholics of the right to make a will and a sequence of legal actions, such as Butler v. Moore
(1802), ensued before a compromise between the college and the family in 1808. The compromise led to the Dunboyne establishment at the college to endow scholarships.
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...
clergyman and aristocrat
Aristocracy
Aristocracy , is a form of government in which a few elite citizens rule. The term derives from the Greek aristokratia, meaning "rule of the best". In origin in Ancient Greece, it was conceived of as rule by the best qualified citizens, and contrasted with monarchy...
, Roman Catholic Bishop of Cork. In order to advance his temporal title, he became, , the only authenticated apostate in the Catholic hierarchy in Ireland.
Early life
Butler was the third son of Edmond Butler, 8th Baron Dunboyne (died 1732) and widow Anne Nagle, née Grace. The family was part of a wealthy network of landed Butlers acrossLeinster
Leinster
Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
and Munster
Munster
Munster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial purposes...
. However, the family was subject to the British government's policy of curtailment of civil rights
Civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
of Irish Catholics (see, Ireland 1691–1801:The Penal Laws).
Raised a Roman Catholic, John early acknowledged a vocation
Vocation
A vocation , is a term for an occupation to which a person is specially drawn or for which they are suited, trained or qualified. Though now often used in non-religious contexts, the meanings of the term originated in Christianity.-Senses:...
for the Church. His brothers, Pierce and Edmond chose the army
Army
An army An army An army (from Latin arma "arms, weapons" via Old French armée, "armed" (feminine), in the broadest sense, is the land-based military of a nation or state. It may also include other branches of the military such as the air force via means of aviation corps...
and left the family home to fight in the War of the Austrian Succession
War of the Austrian Succession
The War of the Austrian Succession – including King George's War in North America, the Anglo-Spanish War of Jenkins' Ear, and two of the three Silesian wars – involved most of the powers of Europe over the question of Maria Theresa's succession to the realms of the House of Habsburg.The...
. Butler commenced his studies at the Irish College
Irish College
Irish Colleges is the collective name used for approximately 34 centres of education for Irish Catholic clergy and lay people opened on continental Europe in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The Colleges were set up to educate Roman Catholics from Ireland in their own religion following the...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, managing to lose his left eye in unknown circumstances, and was ordained
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
in 1755 in the Basilica of St. John Lateran
Basilica of St. John Lateran
The Papal Archbasilica of St. John Lateran , commonly known as St. John Lateran's Archbasilica and St. John Lateran's Basilica, is the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome and the official ecclesiastical seat of the Bishop of Rome, who is the Pope...
. He returned to Ireland in 1758, having completed his doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
, though his Catholic credentials entailed an interview before a Justice of the Peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
in Whitehaven
Whitehaven
Whitehaven is a small town and port on the coast of Cumbria, England, which lies equidistant between the county's two largest settlements, Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness, and is served by the Cumbrian Coast Line and the A595 road...
. Butler returned to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly
The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly is a Roman Catholic archdiocese in mid-western Ireland. The diocese is in the secular province of Munster. The Diocese of Cashel was established in 1111 by the Synod of Rathbreasail and promoted to the status of a Metropolitan Province in 1152 by the...
, being appointed parish priest of Ardmayle in 1759. While he was establishing his place in the Church hierarchy, becoming an archdeacon
Archdeacon
An archdeacon is a senior clergy position in Anglicanism, Syrian Malabar Nasrani, Chaldean Catholic, and some other Christian denominations, above that of most clergy and below a bishop. In the High Middle Ages it was the most senior diocesan position below a bishop in the Roman Catholic Church...
and secretary to the bishop, he was also bolstering his secular role in the Butler family network.
Bishop of Cork
The post of Bishop of CorkBishop of Cork
The Bishop of Cork was a separate episcopal title which took its name after the city of Cork in southern Ireland. The title is now united with other bishoprics...
fell vacant in 1763 and Butler won immediate support as the leading candidate, being appointed by Pope Clement XIII
Pope Clement XIII
Pope Clement XIII , born Carlo della Torre di Rezzonico, was Pope from 16 July 1758 to 2 February 1769....
in 1763. The years following his appointment marked a gradual improvement in the civil disabilities of Catholics in Ireland and the relaxation afforded the Church the opportunity finally to implement the decrees of the Council of Trent
Council of Trent
The Council of Trent was the 16th-century Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church. It is considered to be one of the Church's most important councils. It convened in Trent between December 13, 1545, and December 4, 1563 in twenty-five sessions for three periods...
in respect of the Irish hierarchy. Butler led the changes but was careful to use his secular network and status to maintain relationships with the Protestant establishment. For fear of Protestant sentiment, Butler stalled Nano Nagle
Nano Nagle
Honora "Nano" Nagle founded the "Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary" in Ireland . Of the many schools founded by the Presentation Sisters - a number are named after Nano Nagle.- Family background and historical context :The time of Nagle's birth was one of dark sorrow for...
's establishment of the Ursulines
Ursulines
The Ursulines are a Roman Catholic religious order for women founded at Brescia, Italy, by Saint Angela de Merici in November 1535, primarily for the education of girls and the care of the sick and needy. Their patron saint is Saint Ursula.-History:St Angela de Merici spent 17 years leading a...
in Cork until 1771 and published a condemnation of the 1766 Cork coopers' riots.
Stole fees and other dues were resented and sometimes provided a pretext for Whiteboy violence towards Anglican clergy. Butler issued a declaration, Statuta synodalia pro dioecesi Corcagiensi (1768), that involvement in the Whiteboys was a reserved sin. He supported the Test Act 1774 and gave substantial financial backing to the Catholic Committee.
Baron Dunboyne
Butler inherited the title of Baron Dunboyne in December 1785 on the death of his nephew Pierce Edmond Creagh Butler, 11th Baron Dunboyne. Butler was childless and the Barony threatened with extinction if he had no heir but he had taken the priest's mandatory vow of celibacy.In December 1786, he resigned as bishop and asked the pope for a dispensation from his vow of celibacy. No dispensation was given. In despite of the refusal, in 1787 he married Maria (1764/5-1860), daughter of Theobald Butler, and took the oath of allegiance
Oath of allegiance
An oath of allegiance is an oath whereby a subject or citizen acknowledges a duty of allegiance and swears loyalty to monarch or country. In republics, modern oaths specify allegiance to the country's constitution. For example, officials in the United States, a republic, take an oath of office that...
, abjuration
Abjuration
Abjuration is the solemn repudiation, abandonment, or renunciation by or upon oath, often the renunciation of citizenship or some other right or privilege. .-Abjuration of the realm:...
, and supremacy
Oath of Supremacy
The Oath of Supremacy, originally imposed by King Henry VIII of England through the Act of Supremacy 1534, but repealed by his daughter, Queen Mary I of England and reinstated under Mary's sister, Queen Elizabeth I of England under the Act of Supremacy 1559, provided for any person taking public or...
.
He moved to his ancestral home at Dunboyne
Dunboyne
Dunboyne is a town in County Meath in Ireland. For the most part, it is a dormitory town for the city of Dublin.-Location:Dunboyne is centred on the crossroads formed by the R156 regional road and the old Maynooth Road ....
, County Meath
County Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
, where the couple had a daughter who died young, and then to Dublin. Dunboyne, and the Catholic chapel, were burned in the 1798 rising.
In 1800, an aged and infirm Butler wrote a letter of repetenance to the pope, executed a will
Will (law)
A will or testament is a legal declaration by which a person, the testator, names one or more persons to manage his/her estate and provides for the transfer of his/her property at death...
, and made his confession
Confession
This article is for the religious practice of confessing one's sins.Confession is the acknowledgment of sin or wrongs...
to Catholic priest Fr. William Gahan. He died in Dublin and was buried in the Augustinian
Augustinians
The term Augustinians, named after Saint Augustine of Hippo , applies to two separate and unrelated types of Catholic religious orders:...
friary at Fethard
Fethard
-Constituencies:*Fethard *Fethard...
, County Tipperary
County Tipperary
County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...
.
Testamentary litigation
Butler left his property to St Patrick's College, MaynoothSt Patrick's College, Maynooth
St Patrick's College, Maynooth is the "National Seminary for Ireland" , and a Pontifical University, located in the village of Maynooth, 15 miles from Dublin, Ireland. The college and seminary are often referred to as Maynooth College. The college was officially established as the Royal College...
and litigation from his family, notably by his sister, Mrs. Catherine O'Brien-Butler of Bansha
Bansha
Bansha is a village in the barony of Clanwilliam, South Tipperary in Ireland. The village is part of the parish of "Bansha and Kilmoyler" in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly. Bansha is co-extensive with the pre-Reformation parish of Templeneiry of which the townland name of...
Castle, County Tipperary, was swift. The legality of the will was challenged as the Penal Laws deprived Catholics of the right to make a will and a sequence of legal actions, such as Butler v. Moore
Butler v. Moore
Butler v. Moore reported in MacNally's Rules of Evidence, [1802], 253, was an Irish case decided by Master of the Rolls in Ireland Sir Michael Smith. It is an important precedent in the issue of priest-penitent privilege in the UK. The case concerned the will of John Butler, 12th Baron Dunboyne,...
(1802), ensued before a compromise between the college and the family in 1808. The compromise led to the Dunboyne establishment at the college to endow scholarships.