Page images
PDF
EPUB

CHAP. 1. tually abdicates his peculiar functions, or transfers

Catholic

them to the proscribed priest, the latter is burdened to act as Peace with all the inconvenience, solicitude and odium

clergy obliged

Officers.

Propriety of relieving the

[ocr errors]

of performing them.

Should he decline such tasks, or appear remiss in undertaking them, he incurs severe censure, and, perhaps, considerable personal danger. Should he, on the other hand, prove obsequious, no compensation, profit, or reward, awaits him; probably not even barren thanks, or approbation. And if, eventually, he proves fortunate enough to avoid suspicion, to combat the imputation of being himself a fomenter of outrage, a concealer of Felons, and a dangerous disaffected Papist---it is the utmost he can reasonably aspire to, as the consummation of the affair, whatever may be his diligence, his fidelity, or his complaisance. Such is the general Experience,

It is now high time to release the Catholic Catholic Cler-Clergy of Ireland from all these vexatious, unavailing, and impoiitic restraints. Their respectable situation in the Community, their acknowledged public utility, their pure and exemplary conduct under the severest trials, and the merited regard and reverence, in which they are held in Ireland by upwards of FOUR MILLIONS of the People, entitle them to a very different treatment from that which they now experience.

4. What good cause can possibly exist for CHAP. I.

Hostility

against the Ca.

chy unwise and

the pointed scorn and hostility uniformly evinced towards the Catholic Hierarchy of Ireland, we tholic Hierarare utterly at a loss to imagine. In every class unfounded. of Christians, and in every Religious society, there is probably some Hierarchy or other, tho' all under different titles. For the purposes of providing a succession of ministers, of defining rites and discipline, of maintaining internal subordination, and of restraining from vice and impiety by the authority of sacred functions, it has been deemed expedient, in other Congregations, to prescribe certain forms and powers of ordination, and gradations of rank; and to determine upon cases of correction or of exclusion--when the gross misconduct or pernicious example of individual members calls for censure.

The

Catholic Hier.

Protestant Dissenters have also their Districts: their Congregations, Synods, Elders, Readers, &c. Why, then, should similar internal regulations amongst the Catholic Clergy excite alarm and grievous offence? Besides, it is to be recollected, that in the Catholic Church of Ireland a regular archy of immemorial origin. Hierarchy, and gradation of Clergy, have existed immemorially, with appropriate districts, in which they respectively officiate: and that their congregations consist, not of a handful of gentry and tradesmen, but of an immense proportion of

CHAP. I. the people, at least five sixth parts---comprizing

Catholic
Hierarchy.

Useful and honourable

persons of every order and degree in society. No person, not prepossessed against the sacred order generally, will pretend that the existence of this valuable Body in Ireland can possibly prove injurious to the morals or principles of the people. Long experience has proved the contrary. It has shewn, in abundant and brilliant testimony, that the Catholic Hierarchy of Ireland, unendowed, unsalaried, unpatronized as they are, have deserved highly of their country: and that their piety, benevolence, patience, fidelity, conscientious discharge of their sacred duties, their uniform virtues, decorated by splendid talents, assign to them a rank of estimation, not inferior to that of any Spiritual order that has appeared since the earliest ages Christianity. It must, therefore, be admitted by every reflecting man, that a prudent Legislature, viewing this subject wisely and liberally, should immediately adopt the most comprehensive measures for the effectual relief of the Catholic Clergy. It should place this estimable class of men in a situation, not merely of connivance or bare permission to fulfil their duties, but of actual facilities and marked public encouragement for that purpose---and this, without any compromise or stipulation whatsoever.

of

dowments, &c.

VIII. "The Law forbids the permanent En- CHAP. 1. dowment of any Catholic Clergyman, Catholic euHouse of Worship, School-House, or forbidden. other pious or charitable Foundation for Catholics."

1. Whilst the Members of all other Religious Persuasions in Ireland are permitted to provide for the permanent maintenance of their respective Ministers of Worship, and of the establishments connected with their respective tenets, the Catholics alone are denied this permission.---Reproached, as they frequently are, with the poverty of their Clergy, the misery of their people, and the supposed ignorance of their poor, they are forbidden, by Law, to resort to the necessary measures for supplying these deficiencies.

Their Charita

tions entitled

of the Public

Protes- Money.

The Catholics, though they see in silence that ble Foundaall the National Charities, Legislative endow- to a due share ments, and pious funds, are absorbed in tant institutions, and monopolized by the ruling class, yet have not claimed their proportion of those Grants. They have not contended, as they well might, that they, as composing such a decided Majority of the People, have an undoubted Right to an equitable apportionment of public money towards the Charities and pious uses of their own Religion. But they complain, and loudly, that the Laws prohibit them from applying

CHAP. I. any part of their own particular property, perhaps Catholic en- acquired by personal industry, towards establish

dowments, &c. .

forbidden. ing those necessary funds for Charity and Re

Injustice of this prohibi tion.

Obscurity of

the Law of charities in Ireland.

ligion, which the Legislature has abandoned to neglect and insolvency.

It seems unjust to refuse all national aid, all participation of public bounty, to those great and salutary objects. But it is too much to forbid the Irish Catholic to exercise his benevolent feelings towards Catholic foundations, to debar him from settling a moderate annuity or piece of Land upon his own pastor for the time being, from granting or procuring a long Lease of the site of a Catholic Chapel or Chapel or Schoolhouse, or endowing any of those valuable Charities, permanently, with suitable means of maintenance; nay, even to convert these prohibitions into topics of habitual obloquy, ridicule, and reprobation against the Catholic Community,

2. THE LAW OF CHARITIES, as now in force in Ireland, is involved in some obscurity. The highest Judicial Authorities have, even recently, admitted the difficulty of The Law in tracing the doctrine of this subject.

England differs

from that of Ireland.

The Law of England differs materially from that of Ireland, respecting Charitable donations. This is chiefly owing to two important Statutes in

« PreviousContinue »