Peter Valesius Walsh facts for kids

Peter Walsh (born around 1618 – died March 15, 1688) was an Irish theologian and writer who often disagreed with others. He was a member of the Franciscan Order, a group of Catholic priests.

Peter Walsh's Early Life and Work

Peter Walsh was born near Mooretown in County Kildare, Ireland. His father was a chandler (someone who makes and sells candles) in Naas. His mother was said to be an English Protestant. Peter studied at the Franciscan College of St. Anthony in Leuven, a city in Belgium. There, he joined the Friars Minor and developed some ideas similar to Jansenism, a religious movement.

In 1646, Walsh went to Kilkenny, a city then controlled by a group called the "Confederate Catholics." These were Irish Catholics who had rebelled against English rule. Walsh worked against the Pope's representative, Rinuccini. He pushed for peace with the English viceroy, Ormonde, who represented King Charles I.

Peace Efforts and Arrest

Walsh helped to make a peace agreement with Ormonde in 1649. However, a strong group of Irish Confederate Catholics arrested Walsh in 1646. This happened after the peace treaty he helped create was rejected. This group included powerful Catholic clergy led by Rinuccini. They wanted Roman Catholicism to be the official religion in Ireland. Some Irish lords, like Owen Roe O'Neill, also opposed the treaty. They wanted to get back the lands and power their families had lost.

Walsh was in charge of the Franciscan monastery in Kilkenny from 1648 to 1650. He also served as a chaplain (a religious leader) for Castlehaven’s army in Munster from 1650 to 1651. During this time, English forces led by Oliver Cromwell were very powerful. Any Catholic clergy captured by Cromwell's soldiers were executed. Walsh was in great danger and had to flee Ireland. He first went to London, then Madrid, and later Holland. After that, he lived quietly in London. In 1661, he was chosen by the few remaining Irish bishops to be their official representative in London.

The Irish Remonstrance and Loyalty

After the English monarchy was brought back (this was called the English Restoration), Walsh asked his friend Ormonde for help. He wanted Ormonde to support Irish Roman Catholics. Walsh believed they were loyal to the king, unlike some Protestant groups who had supported the Parliament during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.

Walsh tried to make things better for Irish Catholics. He wanted to show their loyalty after several rebellions. He wrote a strong letter to King Charles II, called the "Remonstrance." In this letter, he bravely said that the Pope should not interfere in public affairs. He also stated that Irish Catholics were completely loyal to the king.

Challenges to the Remonstrance

For eight years, Walsh tried to get people to sign this letter. Many people supported it, but the Jesuits and Dominicans strongly opposed it. Their opposition made many clergy members afraid to sign. This nearly ruined Walsh's plan. (You can learn more about Irish politics at this time by looking up the Act of Settlement 1662.) In 1664, a big meeting of Franciscans in Antwerp protested Walsh's writings. They said his publications were undermining the authority of the Franciscan leader and the Pope.

Later Life and Legacy

From 1669 until his death, Walsh lived in London. He was respected for being honest, loyal, and very smart. Thanks to Ormonde's influence, he received a good position from the Bishop of Winchester, which paid about £100 a year.

In 1670, the Franciscan Order's main meeting declared Walsh and his supporters "renegades." This meant they were to be avoided by other friars. This was because Walsh had published his writings without permission from the Order's leader. However, Walsh remained a devoted member of the Catholic Church. He also had friendly relationships with Anglicans (members of the Church of England). He accepted their religious leaders and attended their churches. It is said that he made peace with the Catholic Church just a few days before he died, though some people question this. After his death, his books and papers were taken by the friars. He was buried in the churchyard of the Church of St Dunstan-in-the-West in London.