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AFTERMATH
OF EDWARDS’ DISMISSAL
After
Edwards' dismissal, Waterford Corporation held a special meeting and
agreed, unanimously, a resolution of loyalty to the bishop. It was
quickly followed by similar resolutions from the Ursuline Convent,
Ballybricken Church outdoor collectors, De La Salle Pioneers and Past
Pupil's Union, Mercy Convent Children of Mary, Mount Sion Sodality,
Waterford Legion of Mary, etc., etc.
Commandant Cronin of the League of Youth (The Blueshirts) also issued a
statement on the issue and called on all its members to 'uphold
Christian principles, and to oppose strenuously and uproot Communism.'
However, in an extraordinary development the Dungarvan Urban District
Council, by eight votes to six, supported its chairman in refusing to
accept a resolution pledging allegiance to Most Rev. Dr. Kinane, Bishop
of Waterford. The dismissal of Mr Edwards, the Waterford teacher, was
mentioned during the discussion, a member remarking that he believed Mr
Edwards had been victimised.
The Waterford News ceased reporting on the case and considered it
closed. In its issue of 18 January 1935 under the by-line 'Local &
District Gossip' it printed
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Although
we regret that, so early in his career, Mr. Frank Edwards, a
popular young man of brilliant attainments, has been faced with
the ordeal known to the Dublin press as 'the Waterford
controversy,' we should like to say that the position is such
that one particular misunderstanding should be removed from the
mind of anybody who happens to have misinterpreted this aspect
of the points at issue. This is the aspect as to the respect in
which His Lordship is held by his whole flock. We should like to
say that His Lordship the Bishop has no more loyal and faithful
body in his diocese than those who are supporters of the
Government. They acknowledge in the fullest possible manner his
jurisdiction over them, and accept his teaching on faith and
morals unreservedly.
We have received
from Mr Frank Ryan, with a request for insertion in the 'News',
a copy of his letter published on Wednesday in the 'Dublin
Press.' Owing to the pronouncement made by the Bishop, addressed
to all under his jurisdiction in this diocese, and binding on
all Catholics, we are precluded from publishing Mr Ryan's
comments. We think that the Bishop's pastoral letter should be
received in the proper spirit by all. It was clearly intended to
be the final pronouncement in this controversy.[4] |
The
controversy had now become a national one and a war of words exploded in
the national press. The Irish Times was to the forefront and
published daily reports from its Waterford reporter.
On
Saturday 26 January 1935, a private meeting of Catholic teachers in
Waterford took place. A resolution was passed expressing loyalty and
unswerving obedience to the Bishop
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guide and teacher in matters of faith and morals. When Mr Frank
Edwards, the dismissed teacher, endeavoured to address the
meeting from the platform there were repeated interruptions, and
for several minutes pandemonium reigned. After the resolution
had been adopted, Mr Edwards, who was accompanied by members of
the Republican Congress group, left the Town Hall.[5] |
The following day saw a massive show of
support for Edwards when eight hundred members of the IRA, marching four
deep and accompanied by two pipe bands, took part in a torchlight parade
and two thousand people subsequently attended a republican meeting on
the Mall. Contingents of the IRA were present from Waterford city and
county and from the adjoining counties of Wexford, Kilkenny, Tipperary
and Cork. A large force of Civic Guards was on duty but the meeting
passed off without incident.
This meeting went ahead despite a
warning from the bishop read at all Masses that morning but the most
extraordinary fact about the meeting was that Mr Patrick Kinane, the
bishop's cousin, was billed as one of the speakers. In the event, the
meeting chairman read a letter from Mr Kinane in which the latter
apologised for his inability to attend and stated that he stood firmly
for the IRA and its policy, as outlined and recently expounded by the
Army Council. The principal speaker was Maurice Twomey, Chief of Staff,
IRA. Tom Barry, the West Cork republican leader, also spoke.
The public controversy petered out
eventually and the Gárdaí and detectives were withdrawn from Mount Sion
School. They had patrolled the school and grounds for the previous three
months. Edwards was given another opportunity to argue his case, this time
in Dublin. On 2 February 1935, the Irish national Teacher's Organisation (INTO) executive met and the following is
the minute of the section of that meeting which concerned itself with the
Edwards dismissal:
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report was submitted of the action taken since the last meeting in
connection with this case, including an account of the interview
with the Bishop of Waterford. The Secretary reported that all the
members of the Executive had approved of the action taken by the
President and himself in advising Mr. Edwards to sign the document
presented to him by the Bishop. A very long discussion took place
in regard to the case, but no action was taken.[7] |
APPEAL
TO INTO CONGRESS
The
committee considered the case closed but Edwards had one final chance to
speak. At the INTO Congress, Edwards, as a delegate, was allowed to speak
on the committee's report concerning his dismissal. He was the only
speaker and he was greeted with some applause as he rose.
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I
would like to say that in coming to you, I am not coming before
you as a pathetic case looking for sympathy and trying to convert
you to my political views. I will state my side of the case … I
have been dismissed for my political opinions.
At this point a delegate interjected; 'You should be thrown out.
You have no political opinions.' This delegate was later escorted
from the hall after a third interruption.
Edwards
continued
I
have been dismissed because of my political opinions expressed
outside the school. The Bishop admitted I never introduced
political opinions inside my schools ... therefore my dismissal
raises an issue of whether a teacher has the right to hold
political opinions.[8] |
He went on to tell of his attacks on
local slum landlords, and of Brother Flannery's warning to him. He said
that at that time, although his support for the Republican Congress was
known, he was given the Confirmation class. 'Why did they do that if they
thought I was teaching anti-Catholic doctrine?' he asked, alleging that
the Bishop's condemnation of the Republican Congress was done to provide a
reason for his sacking. At the conclusion of his speech, Edwards said
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am very sincere in appealing for a backing not merely because I
have lost my job, but it is more than that. Liberty to hold
political opinions outside the school. This is at stake. I would
ask you to reconsider the decision of the C.E.C. [committee]
advising me to surrender that right to hold political opinions. It
is not on the side of the manager but on the side of the teacher
that the C.E.C. should come in, in such a case. If I did sign that
document, I would feel that I had betrayed not only my own
convictions but the INTO in general. I thank you very much for the
hearing you have given me.[9] |
The
paragraph in the committee report outlining the steps taken by the
executive was then put to Congress, and agreed to, only one delegate
dissenting.
After the dismissal, Edwards went to
Dublin where he helped Frank Ryan edit the Republican Congress. He
got a month's work in a school in Sligo and then got a job digging ditches
in Dublin for a pipe-laying company. On the outbreak of the Spanish Civil
War, he went to Spain where he fought with great courage against Franco's
fascists. On his return to Ireland, he eventually secured a teaching post
in Mount Zion Jewish School in Rathgar, where he taught until his
retirement. He had completed his journey from Mount Sion to Mount Zion. He
died on 7 June 1983 and his remains were cremated at Glasnevin. In a
graveside oration Peadar O'Donnell said
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think Frank Edwards will become a legend and his legend and his
name will live on long after most of us here are forgotten.[10] |
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