Celtic Ecclesiastical Succession by Actual Sons or Daughters

Great examples from the Irish Annals of the Four Masters

Due to popular demand we have added the following quotations into the appendix of our article On Celtic Married Clergy and Monastics.

We have several more articles coming up on the Celtic Church topic. These will greatly elucidate the true Orthodox and Hebrew practices with how it is fulfilled in Christ by Christians.

Actual children vs spiritual children in Ireland's Annals of the Four Masters:

A coarb was a term used to describe a successor or heir of a saint or an ecclesiastical founder, who inherited their authority and property. (Quotes taken directly as recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters).

Actual son:

• In the year 493, "St. Patrick left his blessing with Conall Gulban, son of Niall, and with his posterity after him; and he left his coarbship [comarbae] with his son Fergus". This implies that Fergus was the actual son of Conall Gulban, and that he became the coarb of St. Patrick in that region.

Spiritual sons: 

• In the year 544,"St. Ciaran of Cluain-mic-Nois died on the 9th of September, on Sunday precisely; and he was succeeded by Oenna, son of Laeghaire, one of his own tribe; for Ciaran was of the race of Conall Gulban". This implies that Oenna was not the actual son of St. Ciaran, but his spiritual son or disciple, and that he became the coarb of St. Ciaran in that monastery.

• In the year 549, "St. Mac Cairthinn of Clogher died on the 24th of June; and he was succeeded by Aedh, son of Colgan". This implies that Aedh was not the actual son of St. Mac Cairthinn, but his spiritual son or disciple, and that he became the coarb of St. Mac Cairthinn in that see.

Actual children:

In the year 512,  "St. Brigid, Abbess of Cill-Dara, died on the 1st of February; and she was succeeded by Darlugdach, her own daughter". This implies that Darlugdach was the actual daughter of St. Brigid, and that she became the coarb of St. Brigid in that abbey.

• In the year 563, "St. Columba, son of Feidlimidh, son of Fergus, son of Conall Gulban, son of Niall, went to Alba [Scotland] with twelve men". This implies that St. Columba was the actual son of Feidlimidh, and that he became the coarb of his father in his clan.

• In the year 615,  "St. Aidus, son of Bricc, Bishop and Abbot of Ferna, died on the 10th of August; and he was succeeded by his own son Mochua". This implies that Mochua was the actual son of St. Aidus, and that he became the coarb of St. Aidus in that monastery.