Wednesday, April 04, 2012

Cavan man turned down top job in 680AD

While there has been one English Pope, Adrian IV (elected 1154), no Irishman has held the highest church office.

Tradition has it that St Killian of Aubigny, originally from Cavan but doing missionary work on the Continent, was offered the post around the year 680AD.

At the time, the Vatican was on its uppers and being Pope wasn't the most glamorous job in the world. 

Killian turned it down, preferring to found churches, preach the Gospel and use his magical powers to promote Christianity.