The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-29 00:00:00

the human mind we must be careful not to loose
or sever the sacred ties that bind together families
and nations.

Disgraceful Scene in a Catholic Chapel.

On the morning of Christmas•day a disgraceful proceed-
ing took place in St. Anne's Catholic chapel, Lord-street,
Edge-hill, Liverpool, As is usual at this festive season of
the year a midnight service was performed in the chapel,
the Rey. Father Sullivan and two other resident priests
assisting at ire altar. The doors of the sacred edifice were
opened about five minutes before 12 o'clock on Thursday
night, but some time before that hour a large number of
people had congregated together in front of the chapel, and
it was noticed that several of the crowd wore in a state of
intoxication. Money was expected at the doors on entering
the chapel, and the majority of those who went in contri-
buted; but about a quarter past 12 o'clock, in a few moments
after the service had commenced, the Rev. Father Sullivan
and the other two officiating priests being at the altar, two
men entered the chapel, but refused to pay anything at the
door. They were observed to be intoxicated, and it was also
noticed that they were acting in concert with a group of
men outside, who also appeared to be more or less drunk.
The two men above named had not been in the chapel many
minutes before their conduct became very unbecoming and
disorderly. In a loud tone they made use of very offensive
epithets in reference to the Catholic religion, and ultimately
the officers belonging to the chapel made an effort to eject
them. This was the signal for the commencement of a
scene of indescribable confusion and disorder. Some 40 or
50 men, apparently labouring under the inf'.uence of liquor,
and in a state of wild excitement, rushed in the chapel and
jumped on to the benches during the time service was being
performed. They shouted and bawled as they stood on the
benches, making use of foul language. The chapel was
nearly filled with the regular congregation, and on the dis-
turbance commencing, and the remarks above named being
made, several of the members present endeavoured to
turn the disorderly persons out, on which a general
row took place. attended with fighting between the parties
inside the chapel. The service was of course stoppedjand,
as may be imagined, the greatest consternation was caused.
The Rev. Father Sullivan, who is said to be in very indiff
ferent health, was so much affected by the scene of disorder
and riot before him, that he fainted, and was carried away
from the altar robed in his full vestments, into an adjoining
apartment, and the two other priests also retired until order
could be restored. Information of what was going forward
in the chapel having been conveyed to the police authori-
ties, Inspector Wilson and a number of officers entered the
chapel, and in a short time succeeded in turning out the dis-
turbing parties; many of them, however, endeavoured to
go in again but they were prevented from doing so. The
doors of the chapel were locked, and in a short time the ser-
vices were resumed, and concluded about half-past 2 o'clock
in the morning.
Although the malcontents could not again obtain admis •
sion to the chapel, large groups remained in front of it out-
side, and for several hours the immediate neighbourhood
of the edifice was a scene of the greatest excitement and dis-
order.
We learn that there are large number of Orangemen re-
siding in the neighbourhood, and it is believed that the dis-
graceful outrage in question was instituted by some of the
members of that body,—Liverpool _Daily Post.