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St. Oliver Plunkett

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Religious Figure

The Resume

    (November 1, 1629-July 1, 1681)
    Born in Loughcrew, Ireland
    Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland (1670-81)
    Convicted in England of high treason 'for promoting the Roman faith'
    Executed by being hanged, drawn and quartered
    Canonized by Pope Paul VI (1975)
    Preserved head displayed at St. Peter's Church in Drogheda, Ireland

Why he might be annoying:

    After being ordained as a priest (1654), he petitioned to remain in Rome rather than return to Ireland and face persecution by the English occupiers.
    He had a long-running feud with Peter Talbot, Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland (but not All Ireland), about which of them ranked higher in the Church hierarchy.
    The Catholic Church did not get around to declaring him a martyr until 1918.
    For his canonization, the second miracle usually required for sainthood was waived.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was a victim of the anti-Catholic hysteria whipped up by Titus Oates.
    Despite a price on his head, he refused to leave Ireland and abandon his flock.
    Despite their dispute, when they were imprisoned together at Dublin Castle, he forced his way past the guards to administer last rites to Archbishop Talbot.
    His trial was held in London because of the belief that no jury in Ireland -- even an all-Protestant one -- would ever convict him.
    He was denied legal counsel for his defense and was not given time to bring witnesses from Ireland.
    Before his execution, he forgave the people responsible for his conviction and his death.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 109 Votes: 47.71% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 19 Votes: 36.84% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 6 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 110 Votes: 51.82% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 101 Votes: 46.53% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 7 Votes: 28.57% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 20 Votes: 55.00% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 15 Votes: 46.67% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 54 Votes: 35.19% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 26 Votes: 38.46% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 48 Votes: 43.75% Annoying