The New York herald., 1845-02-26


O'CoNNRLL AND THE PoPE-SrArK OF IRKLAND.-
Repeal, the last intelligence from Europe informed
us,had got qwietHs from very unexpected quarter
the Pope himself having issued mandatory epis.
tie by which the Irish priesthood are prohibited
from taking any part in political agitation This
letter was addressed from the Propaganda TO the
| Right Rev. DR.. Croly, Roman Catholic Bishop of
Armagh, and was published by that prelate in reply
TO statement Of O'Connell, denying its authenti-
city II has naturally produced the greatest degree
of excitement, and we now annex the document
as translated:
Mosr ILLusrRIoUs AND REVEREND Sra Your grace will
recoect that on the i2h Of March, 1882 Letters ad
Sacred Lord Pope Gregory XVI thas what wa.
conduct to dgnitaries Of the Church. and to
many Of the inferior clergy Of that kingdom who
political matters and imprudently discussing before the
people the civil affairs of the counry and that you should
agenuy a. urge them to adopt course Of conduct more
gregaon does not doubt that you have exered yourself
with all assiduy for that purpose and that you have
required and which to be expected from your obe
dnce to the Apostolic See But that the desired results
have not attended the you have bestowed it ap
pears particularly from the public journals of those dis
r'cts In which discourses reported have been
D som o. hs pre and even oy
the churches, which, unqueslonably if the fact be
are far from showing that they solely INTENT they
ought 10 upon the salvation OF souls the good of rel
gon and the honor of God that they estrange them
selves from temporal concerns and the contests OF po
offensive to the Sacred and to the Most Sa
cred Lord himself because II tends the hurt and dis
grace Of the ecclesiastical body and even causes injury
TO the Apostolic See as it, little socitous to enforce the
wholesome admonitions given to those clergymen, il
favored the conduct alluded to- or at least connived
is not the only time ground has been afforded for
such complaints rather accusations but the Apos
For this the Sacred hastens again
to address you at the dcotion OF Most Sacred Lord
y most excellent prelate, the nature and character Of
the ecclesiastical Office and how necessary is and OF
Whist importance 10 the maintenance Of religion, that
those who are engaged in its holy duties the peaceful
ministers king the guardians Of the mysteries Ct
God and charged with the spirual guidance Of the faith
theyshoud sedulousy among the peo
pie that tranquility and which the bond Of Chris
pora authorities in all things relating to civil concerns
both by'her examples and their that propo
sing to themselve. exemplary prudence and
most studiously avoid whatever may lightly excite
or agitate the flock committed to them seduce from
the doctrine Of the Catholic Church. which the Apostolic
See has never ceased to deliver from the sanctity OF its
will Be your then most to walk sedu
lousy in these footsteps and in all charity and patience
severely to admonsh a: many Of the clergy more espe
any respect acting at variance with the judgment decla
ed important subject by the Sacred Congregation
and by his Holiness Entrusng this matter to your well
approved wisdom and anxious care heartily pro.r
my esteem and supplicate all happiness for you from
God
"At Romo from the House Of the Sacred Congregation
Of the Propaganda. the 18th OF October. 1914.
1T. PHI. CARD. FRANSONIUS, Pr1fect.
JOHANNES BRUNELLI Secretary"
Thisis plain enough in all conscience, and must
at once put an end TO the agency of the priesthood
in the work OF agitation. O'Connell, however,
takes the ground that the missive is not canoncal
that it treats of matters purely temporal" and
is, therefore, to be regarded utterly null and
void. The church, however, thinks otherwise tor
the 'rescrpt" was read in Synod, and the Catholic
Prelates Of Ireland in council, resolved to enforce
its mandates upon the inferior clergy. On the
other hand, great clamor has been raised by the
repeal leaders, and re- echoed by the masses about
the interference Of his Holiness in the temporal
affairs of Ireland, and very disobedient mut,erngs
are heard in all quarters But the priests must of ne
cessty, obey, and we may now safely conclude
that the work Of agitation is virtually at an end The
priesthood were the main allies of O'Connell, and
deprived of their aid, his powers of mischief will
be completely clipped. This is consummation
gratifying in the extreme to all true friends of the
Irish people-the sacred cause Of their rights and
liberties once fairly delivered from the prostituting
clutches Of mercenary hypocrite, will in due
time triumph.