Mass in US for Drum's martyred priest to be shown worldwide

A memorial Mass honouring slain Drum priest, Fr James Coyle, will be broadcast worldwide by a Catholic cable channel and website, EWTN, on August 11 next.

On the evening of August 11, 1921, the South Roscommon native was sitting on his porch swing in Birmingham, Alabama, saying his evening prayer as was his usual custom.

He was confronted by Methodist Minister Rev. Edwin Stephenson, who shot him three times, the fatal blow entering his left temple and exiting the back of his skull, according to an article by James Pinto for the Fr James E Coyle Memorial Project.

Poignantly, he was found by his beloved sister Marcella, who also confronted the killer as he left the scene. Fr Coyle died a short time later in hospital.

Earlier that day, the priest had presided over the marriage of Ruth Stephenson, the minister's daughter and a Catholic convert, to a Puerto Rican by the name of Pedro Gussman.

Edwin Stephenson, who was a prominent member of the Ku Klux Klan, confessed to the killing but was found not guilty two months later despite his confession.

Fr Coyle's grandniece Sheila Killian highlighted his story in her debut novel Something Bigger, which was published in 2021 and was a work of fiction based on fact.

Fr Coyle is also remembered in Drum Heritage Centre with a large display entitled 'Priest, Poet, Patron' and 'Drum's Martyred Priest', where his early life is chronicled with photos of his birthplace.

A memorial Mass for Fr Coyle will take place in the Cathedral of St Paul, Birmingham, Alabama, on Monday August 11, at 10am CT (3pm GMT).

It will be broadcast worldwide by EWTN (see: www.ewtn.com). The Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Steven Raica and will be followed by a reception and reflection on Fr Coyle.