Hugh MacCaghwell
Encyclopedia
Aodh Mac Cathmhaoil, anglicised as Hugh MacCaghwell (1571 – 22 September 1626), was an Irish Franciscan
theologian
and archbishop of Armagh
. He was known by Irish speakers at Louvain by the honorary name Aodh Mac Aingil ("Mac Aingil" is Irish for "Son of an Angel"), and it was under this title that he published the Irish work Scáthán Shacramuinte na hAthridhe.
, County Down
, and received his earliest education in his native place, and then passed to a famous school in the Isle of Man
. On his return to Ireland he was selected by Hugh O'Neill, The O'Neill, 2nd Earl of Tyrone, as tutor to his sons Henry and Hugh.
He was sent by the Earl as special messenger to the Court of Spain to solicit aid for the Ulster forces. During his stay at Salamanca
, where the Court then resided, he frequented the schools of the university and took doctor's degrees in divinity. Soon afterwards he entered the Franciscan Order. He enjoyed a great reputation as a theologian, and his commentaries on the theologian Duns Scotus
(1266-1308) were held in high repute. Nicolaus Vernulæus says that he was conspicuous for his virtues and that his holiness of life and profound learning made him the miracle of his time. It was principally due to his great influence at the Spanish Court that the Irish Franciscan College of St. Anthony
was founded at Leuven
(Louvain).
After his entry into the order, Hugh taught for some time in the University of Salamanca
, then he was appointed superior and lecturer at St. Anthony's, Leuven. Among his pupils were John Colgan
, Patrick Fleming
, Hugh Ward, and Anthony Hickey. He was summoned to Rome to lecture in the convent of Aracoeli
; but his energies were not limited to his work as professor. He was employed by the pope on several commissions.
He gave substantial help to Luke Wadding
in founding and developing St. Isidore's and the Ludovisi colleges for Irish students. On 17 March, 1626, Pope Urban VIII
, passing over all the other candidates, nominated Mac Aingil Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland; the consecration took place on 7 June, in the church of St. Isidore. Thomas Walsh
, Archbishop of Cashel
, was consecrated at the same time. The consecrating prelate was Cardinal Gabriel de Trejo
, a great friend of the Irish.
His health had been much weakened by his duties and the austerities he practised. In making the visitations of the provinces of the order he always travelled on foot, and passed much time in prayer and fasting. While making preparation for his departure for his arduous mission he was seized with fever and died.
He was buried in the church of St. Isidore, and his friend Don John O'Neill, 3rd Earl of Tyrone, had a monument placed over his grave. Nicolaus Vernulæus delivered an oration before the university commemorating the virtues and learning of the archbishop, which was published at Cologne, 1657.
s in Irish, and wrote Latin and theological works. In his Apologia pro Johanne Duns-Scoto, he engaged in Franciscan defence of Duns Scotus against the Dominican
-inspired attacks of Bovius and Cornelius Jansen
, claiming Scotus as an Irishman. He also wrote a work in Irish, which was printed at the Irish press in the college of St. Anthony's, Leuven, in 1618, entitled Scáthán Shacramuinte na hAthridhe, or Tractatus de poenitentia et indulgentiis, that is, The Mirror of the Sacrament of Penance. (The Latin title appears nowhere in the text and was used for cataloging purposes in Latin libraries.)
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
theologian
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...
and archbishop of Armagh
Archbishop of Armagh
The Archbishop of Armagh is the title of the presiding ecclesiastical figure of each of the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland in the region around Armagh in Northern Ireland...
. He was known by Irish speakers at Louvain by the honorary name Aodh Mac Aingil ("Mac Aingil" is Irish for "Son of an Angel"), and it was under this title that he published the Irish work Scáthán Shacramuinte na hAthridhe.
Life
He was born at SaulSaul, County Down
Saul is the name of a townland and civil parish in County Down, Northern Ireland.The townland lies to the east of Downpatrick and has strong links with Saint Patrick. It is claimed that when Saint Patrick came to Ireland in 432, strong currents swept his boat through the Strangford Lough tidal...
, County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, and received his earliest education in his native place, and then passed to a famous school in the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
. On his return to Ireland he was selected by Hugh O'Neill, The O'Neill, 2nd Earl of Tyrone, as tutor to his sons Henry and Hugh.
He was sent by the Earl as special messenger to the Court of Spain to solicit aid for the Ulster forces. During his stay at Salamanca
Salamanca
Salamanca is a city in western Spain, in the community of Castile and León. Because it is known for its beautiful buildings and urban environment, the Old City was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. It is the most important university city in Spain and is known for its contributions to...
, where the Court then resided, he frequented the schools of the university and took doctor's degrees in divinity. Soon afterwards he entered the Franciscan Order. He enjoyed a great reputation as a theologian, and his commentaries on the theologian Duns Scotus
Duns Scotus
Blessed John Duns Scotus, O.F.M. was one of the more important theologians and philosophers of the High Middle Ages. He was nicknamed Doctor Subtilis for his penetrating and subtle manner of thought....
(1266-1308) were held in high repute. Nicolaus Vernulæus says that he was conspicuous for his virtues and that his holiness of life and profound learning made him the miracle of his time. It was principally due to his great influence at the Spanish Court that the Irish Franciscan College of St. Anthony
Anthony of Padua
Anthony of Padua or Anthony of Lisbon, O.F.M., was a Portuguese Catholic priest and friar of the Franciscan Order. Though he died in Padua, Italy, he was born to a wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal, which is where he was raised...
was founded at Leuven
Leuven
Leuven is the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant in the Flemish Region, Belgium...
(Louvain).
After his entry into the order, Hugh taught for some time in the University of Salamanca
University of Salamanca
The University of Salamanca is a Spanish higher education institution, located in the town of Salamanca, west of Madrid. It was founded in 1134 and given the Royal charter of foundation by King Alfonso IX in 1218. It is the oldest founded university in Spain and the third oldest European...
, then he was appointed superior and lecturer at St. Anthony's, Leuven. Among his pupils were John Colgan
John Colgan
John Colgan was an Irish hagiographer and historian.-Life:...
, Patrick Fleming
Patrick Fleming
Patrick Fleming was an Irish Franciscan scholar.-Life:His father was great-grandson of Lord Slane; his mother was daughter of Robert Cusack, a baron of the exchequer and a near relative of Lord Delvin...
, Hugh Ward, and Anthony Hickey. He was summoned to Rome to lecture in the convent of Aracoeli
Santa Maria in Aracoeli
The Basilica of St. Mary of the Altar of Heaven is a titular basilica in Rome, located on the highest summit of the Campidoglio. It is still the designated Church of the city council of Rome, which uses the ancient title of Senatus Populusque Romanus...
; but his energies were not limited to his work as professor. He was employed by the pope on several commissions.
He gave substantial help to Luke Wadding
Luke Wadding
Luke Wadding was an Irish Franciscan friar and historian.-Life:Wadding was born in 16 October 1588 at Waterford to Walter Wadding of Waterford, a wealthy merchant, and his wife, Anastasia Lombard . Educated at the school of Mrs...
in founding and developing St. Isidore's and the Ludovisi colleges for Irish students. On 17 March, 1626, Pope Urban VIII
Pope Urban VIII
Pope Urban VIII , born Maffeo Barberini, was pope from 1623 to 1644. He was the last pope to expand the papal territory by force of arms, and was a prominent patron of the arts and reformer of Church missions...
, passing over all the other candidates, nominated Mac Aingil Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland; the consecration took place on 7 June, in the church of St. Isidore. Thomas Walsh
Thomas Walsh
- In politics :* Thomas Walsh , Fianna Fáil politician and Minister for Agriculture* Thomas J. Walsh , American lawyer and Senator* Thomas Walsh , Massachusetts politician...
, Archbishop of Cashel
Archbishop of Cashel
The Archbishop of Cashel is an archiepiscopal title which takes its name after the town of Cashel, County Tipperary in Ireland. The title is still in use in the Roman Catholic Church, but in the Church of Ireland it was downgraded to a bishopric in 1838....
, was consecrated at the same time. The consecrating prelate was Cardinal Gabriel de Trejo
Gabriel Trejo Paniagua
Gabriel Trejo Paniagua was a Spanish cardinal, bishop and rector of the University of Salamanca.-Life:...
, a great friend of the Irish.
His health had been much weakened by his duties and the austerities he practised. In making the visitations of the provinces of the order he always travelled on foot, and passed much time in prayer and fasting. While making preparation for his departure for his arduous mission he was seized with fever and died.
He was buried in the church of St. Isidore, and his friend Don John O'Neill, 3rd Earl of Tyrone, had a monument placed over his grave. Nicolaus Vernulæus delivered an oration before the university commemorating the virtues and learning of the archbishop, which was published at Cologne, 1657.
Works
Mac Cathmhaoil composed four Christmas carolChristmas carol
A Christmas carol is a carol whose lyrics are on the theme of Christmas or the winter season in general and which are traditionally sung in the period before Christmas.-History:...
s in Irish, and wrote Latin and theological works. In his Apologia pro Johanne Duns-Scoto, he engaged in Franciscan defence of Duns Scotus against the Dominican
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
-inspired attacks of Bovius and Cornelius Jansen
Cornelius Jansen
Corneille Janssens, commonly known by the Latinized name Cornelius Jansen or Jansenius, was Catholic bishop of Ypres and the father of a theological movement known as Jansenism.-Biography:...
, claiming Scotus as an Irishman. He also wrote a work in Irish, which was printed at the Irish press in the college of St. Anthony's, Leuven, in 1618, entitled Scáthán Shacramuinte na hAthridhe, or Tractatus de poenitentia et indulgentiis, that is, The Mirror of the Sacrament of Penance. (The Latin title appears nowhere in the text and was used for cataloging purposes in Latin libraries.)
- Scáthán Shacramuinte na hAthridhe [or Tractatus de poenitentia et indulgentiis] (Louvain 1618)
- Scoti Commentaria in quatuor libros Sententiarum (2 vols., folio, Antwerp 1620) to this work is prefixed a life of Scotus
- Scoti Commentaria seu Reportata Parisiensia
- Apologiam pro eodum vindicando ab injuriis allatis per Abrahamum Bzovium; against BzoviusBzoviusAbraham Bzowski was a Polish Dominican historian. He carried on the work of Baronius. The Catholic Encyclopedia calls his contributions for 1198 to 1571 "less notable" than some of other continuators, namely Raynaldus, Laderchi, and August Theiner.- Works :* Thaumaturgus Polonus seu de vita et...
. - Apologiam Apologiae supradictae pro Johanne Scoto Scriptae, in respondet Nicolao Jansenio Belgae Ord. Praedicatorum, Abrahami Bzovii partes suscipienti, no sine gravi Scoti et regni Hiberniae injuria. Prodiit Parisiis sub nomine Hugonis Magnesii discipuli Cavelli apud Michaelum Sonnium, anno 1623 (Paris 1623)
- Quæstiones quodilibetales
- Quæstiones in libros de anima
- Quaestiones in Metaphysicam &c (Venice 1625)
Criticism
- Paul Walsh, Gleanings from Irish MSS (1930; 2nd edn. 1933).
- Tomás Ó Cléirigh, Aodh Mac Aingil agus an Scoil Nua-Gheadhilge i Lobháin [Louvain] (Baile Atha Claith: An Gúm 1936; 1985).
- Canneach Ó Maonaigh, ed., Scáthán Shacramuinte na hAithridhe, Institúid Ardléinn, DIAS 1952 1952, p. 5; Cronin, p. 61.
- Michael Cronin, Translating Ireland: Translations, Languages, Cultures (Cork UP 1996), p. 61.