The National Register.
London, England, 1814-05-08 00:00:00

ROMAN CATHOLICS.

COPY or A LETTER FROM MONSEIGNEUR GUARAN-
TOl7l TO TM RIGHT REV. DR. POYNTER, V. A.

MOST ILLUSTRIOUS AND REVEREND SIR,
We have beard, with the higlie,st gratification, that the Rill which
was last year brought in for the emancipation of the Catholics of
your most distinguished country from the penal laws, and which was
rejected only by a small majority, was still open for proposal in the
present Session of Parliament. It is my first hope that this measnre
may succeed ; that the Catholics, who have always exhibited emi-
nent proofs of their obedience and fitl, lity, may at length rise from
that most erievous yoke under which they have so long bowed ; and
that, without prejudice to privilege or property. they may be em-
powered to apply more vigorously tp those duties which religion
and the good of their country demand. A boon, which we are
strongly inclined to from the high benefices of your Monarch, and
from that renowned people whose justice, prudence, and general
virtue, both in former times, and above all, in these latter days,
hate placed them in such a rank of national glory. And since we
Were been informed, that some questions and donbts have arisen
among the Bishops rela'ive to the conditions on which the Catholics
are to be placed in the rank oluther subjects, we who, in the absence
of the Supreme Pastor, preside over the sacred missions, and are
furnished with all due pontifical powers, feel it a duty to meet, by
the authority and consent of the Holy Choir, all those ambiguities
and obstacles which might impede time desired conciliation, and to
which the Episcopal authority might not be adequate. Having
therefore, examined in a Council of our most learned Prelates and
Theologians, the letters transmitted both of your Excellency and
the Archbishops of Dublin, and having diligently investigated the
subjects in private council, we have decreed that the Catholics do
receive, with a content and grateful spirit, the propositions which
were last year brought forward for their emancipation, according to
the form stated by your Excellency. One article remains requiring
a certain explanation, namely, the second clause of the oath, by
which the cleric is bound to have no possible intercourse with the
supreme Pontiff, or his ministers, which can directly or indirectly
subvert, or in any mode disturb the Protestant discipline or church.
It is already sufficiently authenticated, that, by divine command,
► thefirst duty of the minister of the church is to consult the propa•
gation and purity of the Catholic faith, the only one which can font
to eternal happiness. This is taught by the precepts of the gospel,
and the example's of the apostles and their successors. So, if any
Catholic brings back a Protestant to the orthodox religion, he may
be considered guilty of perjury, as having by that act apparently,
in some measure, disturbed the Protestant Church. If •nch be
the construction, this oath, from its opposition to the principles of
the Catholic faith, cannot be taken. But if it is the meaning of
the Legislature that preaching, pursuasion, advice should not be
interdicted to Catholic Ministers, but simply that the interdict
should lie on disturbing the Protestant Church or discipline by
force and arms, or any disengeneons arts, thus far is right, and
peculiarly consistent with our prieciplea.! It will then rest with
you to request of that distinguished discipline,' with all snbmiesien
and entreaty, that for the quieting and protecting of the ensci-