The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-05
HE FENIANs AND TIE CHURCH
Archbishop MOCIOsKeY D~nOunecs the
Movement I'm Unh1is able Language.
tb, 49, 10


From the Herald of today.
The Roman Catholic Cathedral was filled yes
terGay, as usual, win large congregation.
Before commencing his sermon his Grace the
Most Rev. Archbishop McClosEey delivered him.
self in the following terms on the subject of
Fenianism
We want to say a few words to YOU on q subject
with which many of you are acqua nted. 1t Is in
to q call for meeting ot somd OF those who
known as leaders IN the teniau movement. IL IS
the call made by them for an aggregate or mass meet
ing this evening III Jones' Wood The obIec fer
which this meeting is called il not necessary fer
to state from the fact that IL ls a cali of the
Fenian Brotherhood and lris men generally, to as
semble in Jones' WOOD. Now 1 desire to speak to
you on this subject III all camness. wish not TO
use words In reference to this subject that will be
calcu ated to excite feelings OF inclination or VIC.
lence 1 speak as a Catholic Bishop OF people
who are known to have the Iatholic faith
jealous OF ali that concerns the honor and credit OF
that holy faith both IN Inc eyes of God and men.
On the merits OIL Fenianism IL is not my purpose at
AL speak, nearly ali know what IL the opinion
he OF 1t Almost universally by ali the bishops and
priests OF the whOie catholic church, and all men
Catho have been IN this instance an exception to
what has been their history in all time in closing
their ears 10 the counsels OF tho fathers OF the
fock upon this subject and listening 10 the
cCunsels of seltcOnstltuted leaders. do not call
IN question the motives Dy Wmch they are actn-
afflicted Ireland than he who now speaks to you.
God forbid that any word OF his should ever IN tate
AGAINST what are lreland's real, best ana highest
interests II we are opposed 10 this movement IN
toto 1t Is not because we sYmuathize with the Eng
lish Government bat because sympatnize in the
true spirit with Ireland We have seen nothing yet.
and we expect nothing from this Fenlan movement
hui what will lie TO the great detriment of Ireland
and people both in that lntry and also IN this,
the land of their adoption. We believe that only in
jury viii come OF this movement aud time will prove
who is in the right and who Is III the wrong. We be-
leve that as noUhng but mischief has so lar come OF
It, nothing but mischief Will tUrtheT come of it, And
lsay not only in the interests of our brethren
then own land, but also IN our interests here. If
people persist, as untoItuna they have per-
sisted thus far, in q moeement which all sensible
men and q true friends OF Ireland consider one of
1oly, which must result in nothing but destruction
an mischief, 1t will not only inslre England to op'
press Ireland still more and to rvet still more
securely the CHAINS upon her people, but 1T will
incie perhaps The anger AID disgust of the Amerl-
can Ieople themselves against us And l say IN
movement with ieelng OF deep apprehen-
sloI, for the reason OF the spirit that has
bee evirced by those whose counsel the people
have followed by tas movement that It Will
raise up against Irlshmen first as Irishmen
and then as Catholics in this anO, spirit OF perse
cuhon equal to that under wnich they have SO long
RT0aned IN their own land. appeal 10 all men, aud
their religion and their God TO withdraw themselves
from movement that has already gone too lar. The
reason alleged for not listening 70 advice from
Bishops and clergy in this matter is that they say
tins is political movement, ana tnat therefore the
bishops and priests OF the Cathoic Church have
nothing 10 do with 1t, and must stand aside from it,
That Is true. Bishops and priests have nothing to
do with it, They say that this movement mas
son trus Il has nnt Bnt rea;on hss somebnd TO
do with II. This day is sacred TO God and to the
hearing OF HIS words 1t Is Sunday 1t is not a day
for poI les II is not day Tor publ demonstrations
but 1t is day for Catholic people assemble in the
house Of God, pay thelrVOws and thanks to Him,
offer their prayers Tor the prOsps rty and peace of
the land they love and TO which GIey have been so
faithful These Fenian demons rations are bad
enough on any day; but there are days enough in
the week, and If they wll not be g1ven to those
meetings let GODS day at lea-t be spared from them.
This act OF public meeting be nk held this after
noon is an open proclamation of the Lords day lt
y anc will be regarded public scandal; it will
community, and i, this admOnIuon ia neglected all
the Iathoics will be held responsible for this out
rRge; and our Christian brethren who re-
vored the Lords daV already IOok upon this
moyement as PROCLAMATION o. this day; and
al who do will ask in astonishment what
does all this meanI They wilt say, here are
xnsbmen and Catholics omering q public Insult
10 the day OF the Lord Hence ii IS that have adj
dressed circular TO all the Catholic clergy OF this
city to warn their ocks to abstain this demon
6lraiion on the day sacred religion and TO God
Tins invitation of public meeting is addressed 10
Catholics 10 leave THEIR religious leaders and gather
II listen to men Jones' Wood speaking violent
Rnd inhAmmatory language to them. AT least re-
~ The gathering. Here is the place to show your
f4mpafhes, where will not provoke Gedl
anger but can invoke His blessing.
The Archbishop then commenced the delivery
Of bis sermon, which was very eloquent dis
course II was noticeable feature OF the con
6feRation that 1t was chiefly composed of ladie
and old men. The young men were present IL
very small force indeed.