ANSELM Ó FACHTNA: An tAthair Anselm Ó Fachtna (Father Anselm Faulkner) OFM, who has died aged 86, belonged to the tradition of Irish Franciscan scholarship that dates from the 17th century and which played a major role in formulating a Catholic ideology rooted in absolute allegiance to Rome.
Based in Irish colleges in Louvain, Rome and Prague, the early Franciscan scholars channelled their intellectual energies into devotional, apologetic and historical writings in Irish and Latin that identified with Catholic Europe and asserted the continuity of Catholicism in Ireland.
These scholars of the Counter-Reformation did not confine themselves to providing spiritual reading for Irish Catholics; they also contributed significantly to the evolution of modern literature in Irish. By the late 19th century there existed a body of Irish Franciscan spiritual writings in Irish, some still in manuscript form and others printed but needing new editions. There also existed a large collection of manuscript material relating to the history of the Irish province of the order. These collections were housed in the Franciscan friary at Merchants' Quay, Dublin, until the 1940s when a permanent home was found for them at Dún Mhuire in Killiney, Co Dublin. It was in this house of Celtic studies and historical research that Anselm Ó Fachtna devoted himself to a life of scholarship.
An important part of the work at Dún Mhuire was the publication of new editions of devotional texts. Anselm Ó Fachtna edited Parrthas an Anma (1953), written by Antoin Gearnon OFM, and first published in Louvain in 1645. His other major works were An Bheatha Dhiadha nó An tSlighe Ríoghdha (1967), originally written in Spanish by Juan Eusebio Nieremberg SJ, and Liber Dubliniensis: Chapter Documents of the Irish Franciscans 1719-1875 (1978).
He was born John Faulkner on August 7th, 1916, one of the five children of Thomas and Mary Jane Faulkner (née Mulholland). The family lived on the Strand Road, Derry, and he was educated at St Columb's College. He entered the Franciscan novitiate in Killarney, Co Kerry, in 1933, taking the name Anselm. He later studied at University College, Galway, where in 1938 he took an MA degree in Irish language and literature.
For the next four years he studied theology in Rome at the College of St Isidore, administered since 1625 by Irish Franciscans. He was ordained in 1941.
Returning to Ireland, he engaged in pastoral work in Dublin and later, in addition to his work at Dún Mhuire, was an extern research worker for the School of Celtic Studies at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. His association with the institute continued for 25 years. In 1948 he was awarded a PhD in Irish studies. His Sólás na bhFíréan, a compendium of Irish prayers, was published in 1949.
He contributed articles to a wide range of journals and magazines including Éigse, An Sagart, Assisi, Clogher Record, Donegal Annual, Louth Archaeological Society Journal and Breifne. He also reviewed books for the Catholic Survey and the Irish Independent.
He took a dim view of historical revisionism. In an article, "Tírghrá agus Athscríobh na Staire", for Feasta, he focused on Ruth Dudley Edwards's biography of Patrick Pearse as a prime example of revisionist writing.
He conceded that it was the most thorough life of Pearse yet published, but pointed out "go bhfuil dualgas ar an scríbhneoir gan a bheith claonta róphearsanta". In this regard, Ms Edwards had failed. Hers was not an objective work, there were too many passages that left "drochbhlas agus drochbharúil in intinn an léitheora".
He did not confine himself to devotional literature and historiography. In Poitín: Peccatum Reservatum, he recounted the story of a woman who tasted the contents of a bottle left in her kitchen by visiting relatives. Pledged to total abstinence from alcohol, she was horrified to learn that the bottle contained poitín. She went to confession at the first opportunity, but was told by the priest that he could not grant her absolution and was referred to the bishop.
By coincidence the bishop, a strong advocate of temperance, was visiting the parish. The woman found him at the parochial house where he subjected her to a tongue-lashing about the evils of drink. Terrified, she returned to the priest who said it was a great pity that she had mentioned poitín to him at all.
Anselm Ó Fachtna heard the story from his mother, the woman chastised by the bishop. In the same article, he commented that there were few people in the country, including members of the clergy and gardaí, who had not tasted poitín.
He argued that the situation should be regularised. It would benefit the people of the west "dá gcuirfí tionscoil nua ar fáil bunaithe ar phoitín ach caighdeán árd sláintiúl a leagan síos a bhéadh inghlachta ag na húdaráis". If, however, drunkenness was the issue, all bars in the country should be closed down, including the Dáil bar.
Throughout his life Anselm Ó Fachtna retained close links with his native Derry, which he visited at least twice a year. He made several visits to Austria and Germany. He is survived by his sister, Ena, nieces and nephews.
Anselm Ó Fachtna: born August 7th, 1916; died December 22nd, 2002