The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-26 00:00:00

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LONDON, WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER 26 1845.

During the profligate reign of CHARLES 11., and after
the expulsion of his brother from the throne of these
kingdoms, various Acts were passed by Parliament with
a view to check the progress of the Catholic religion,
and guard against the influence of any foreign potentate
in governing the affairs of the country. Some of these
Acts are now justly regarded as too severe. The pro-
gress of knowledge, the increase of toleration, which
necessarily followed, and the loyalty displayed by
many Catholics in defence of their Sovereign and
eountry, led to wonderful changes, and gradually
efficed those invidious distinctions so long
maintained between Protestants and Catholics
on the ground of religion. Even up to the period of
Catholic emancipation many disabilities from time to
time had been removed, and possibly as quickly, ton, as
the pi% indices in Great Britain would safely permit, till
at last the two sects were placed nearly on a footing of
equality. he children of both are now educated partly
at the expense of the State ; they learn principles of
morality and religion in the same schools, and the
system is found so beneficial, both in a national and
social point of view, that it has been carried
still farther. Maynooth has become a national
establi,diment, and three additional colleges have
been established for carrying out the original plan on
which the national system of education was founded.
One re,triction, however, established by Act of Parlia-
ment remains still in full force—namely, that which for-
bids direct intercourse between the Courts of England
and Rome ; and though the sentiment may appear illi-
bersl, ue are inclined to think that the principles on
which that Act was founded are in the main good, and
it would be well for the country if it were observed even
snore strictly than it has been for the last half
century. It is dangerous to allow any foreign
power to interfere in the internal aff4irs of another, and
even in Catholic countries, so much aro the Govern-
ments convinced of the fact, that the admission of bulls,
or edicts, or by whatever other name the ordonnances
of the Court of Rome may be called, is guarded by
very stringent restrictions. we regret, therefore, to see
the Catholic prelates, or more properly speaking, a cer-
tain of them, still appealing to the POPS, and
professing to be guided in the most important affairs
by the decision of a conclave of old cardinals.
i Such appeals nvolve often the strangest con-
wiietions, without at all taking into account
.the inroad made by such a step on the legitimate Gri-
ll-rant-tit of the country. The last spr.:..l 'of the kind
—.hat relative to the _\;eve Cellegea Act—isnoexception
to the rule, fur it would be impossible to adopt a resolu-
tion at one(' so contradictory and absurd. It is brief,
and we the-refire give it entire:—
" Resolved,—That the Archbishops and Bishops of Ireland
having resolved that the measure of Academical Education
.proposed by the Government was dangerous to faith and
murals, while the securities which they required for the re-
moval of those dangers were refused by the Government and
the Legislature t we, as guardians of the faith in Ireland,
and anxious to preserve the unity of the spirit in the bond
of peace, lay before the Holy Father our former resolutions,
and their application to the Act in its present form, together
with the grounds on which those resolutions were founded,
in order that we may all receive the decision of his Holi-
ness, and recognise the voice of Peter in the person of his
successor."

These very reverend and very learned prelates, first
of all, lay down a very clear and intelligible proposition.
They declare that the measure of academical edtsation
is dangerous to faith and morals ; yet still they appeal
llouNEss, in order that they may enjoy the benefit
of his decision, and recognise the .4 voice of ps..

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