The Express.
London, England, 1859-10-26 00:00:00

BELGIUM.

Li Nord has the following remarks on a et"
which it intimates is not a singular one, of the re-
fusel of burial rites by the catholic clergy to a pen=
of known liberal opinions:

The catholic clergy have jut recommenced at Namur the
practical application of • doctrine, the profound illegality of
which we have several times had to demonstrate. The jour-
nals of that city bring us an scorant of the funeral, attended
by the whole of the inhabitants, of one of the most esteemed
men of the place., Dr. Defoe:, snddealy death-stricken and
physically unable to demand the month of religion. Not-
withstanding the steps taken in the bishopric by
the chiefs themselves of the catholic party, the clergy
predated in refusing It. co-operation, and the interment was
obliged to Mke place without soy priest, not one having con-
seated to be present. For the rest, the ceremony, from all
that apposes, lost media, in solemnity by that; the whole
city made a poise of conducting to Ms last abode the esti-
mable althea It bed just loot, and the civic authorities made
it their daty to testily by their presence the respect they felt
for the memory of M. Daum.
If the fact occurred as our contemptharies of Namur report
ft, if It is true that it was not ethible for M. Defunz to de-
mand the snooper of the rrligith in which he was born, if it
Is swain moreover that he bad not during hie life seceded
from that religion by any ostensible and public act, the
catholic clergy have emitted, transgressed their right. Lot
them base fall powers to refuse their prayers
to thane who have openly shown the wish to
do without them, when they were in the complete
posessekm athlete judgment; no one disputes it, and we shall
never attempt to gainsay it. Bat tbar, misinterpretith the
duties imposed upon them as on all religious bodies salaried
by the state, they should refuse the exerthe of their ministry
to citizens of their communise, whom • deplorable accident
happens to befall and renders incapable, however desirous
they may be, of complying with the regulations of Mist reli-
gious body, this ia ■ refusal of the mettle legally due, which
by right ought to be directly followed by the privation of the
advantages attached to the race discharged by the clergy.
What naives such acts atilt more reprebenribie id the or-
camsrance that they are always connected with persons known
to have entertained dazing their lives liberal othrione. This is
Niewire themes°, Dr. Deform. Tbe;tiergy make, therefore,
the sacraments and prayers of the church a party weapon.
They would not act differently if they wished to disregard their
mimics. Fur the rest, the effect produced by this cosduct
clearly proves that the good sense of the public appreciates on
which side in a similar case not only debt but propriety re-
sides. Lot the clergy only persevere in the prectice of these
illegalities some time longer, and there • ill soon remain not
a giggle provincial town where civic funerals will not be
organised in a complete and solemn manner. We have
strong dialers whether the prestige of the clergy will gain
mach by this genie of theirs.

THE GARIBALDI FUND.