The New York herald., 1877-12-10
CLERICAL CONFLICT IN IRELAND.
THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS AIMING TO SECURE
CONTROL or THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS
scHooLs-CoMPLETE GENERALIZATION DE-
sIRED-AN APPEAL TAKEN TO ROME.

CONTROL or THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS
scHooLs-CoMPLETE GENERALIZATION DE-
sIRED-AN APPEAL TAKEN TO ROME.
LONDON, Nov 27. 1877.
piece Of Irish ecclesiastical news has leaked out
within tho last TWO three days which likely TO be
interesting both tor It's own sake and for the
qucncos to which It may lead. The Catholic readers
oil the HERALD be familiar with tho insti.
tute OF tho Irish Christian Brothors-mcn who with.
drawing from all worldly pursuits, devote themselves
to teaching, especially the poor Serious differences.
II Is said havo arisen between them and The Irish
episcopatc occasoned by somo of tho ecclesiastical
legislation enacted at the Synod of Maynoo.h aud
latoIy promulgated. The matter is deemed serious
that has bcen referred the supreme decision Of
tho authorities In Rome.
THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS, SCHOOLS
The Irish Christian Brothers were founded OK.
actly the same lines, and with tho same rules the
celebrated institute OF the namc established BY
De 10 Sac in France at tho beginning OF the
ury. But they arc an independent body. They have
establishments in most OF the chief In Ireland
and 1000 boys taught in their schools.
Those establishments have In many been built
by local contributions the parish priest undertaking
to provide Tor the maintenance of the masterA In
como places the pcty benevoonce OF individuals
has established tho school and provided fund as
endowment for the Brothers. In very many In
stances when the school has bcen established bcquests
aud donations have come in either swelling the
endowment whcro thero one. rendering
the Brothers moro independent OF annual collec-
tions and similar precarious sources of support. The
law have beon very indugent with respect 10
such lcgaccs account OF their connection With
educational objects 1t is almost suporauous say
that with the exception Of their novtaio the Chris
tian Brothers have establishments which aro not
schools. They arc not cerRymen IKE the LazarstG
Jesus. So that II they cease TO hold their schools
they would literally have no further business and
place Of residence
In 1875 the Irish Catholic bishops held national
Synod ut M"ynoeth Tho decrees went TO Rome ioi
examination and approval and were made puol,c only
last spring. Among them IS chapter concerning the
Christian Brothers, In which Is ordered that the
school establishments nrusted to tho Brothers and
donations and legacies bcqucahcd to the schools
as well as any property which may DO acquired
/ the proceeds OF tho Same, shall be invested In
names OF tho trustees one Of whom is
the Bishop OF tho diocese and the others porso
selected by him. IL Is further ordered by tho same
that any school buildings or property in any
connected with the samc which present held
the Brothers themselves or stand invested In tn
name, at once TO be transferred to trustees,
above provided. And 1t is added that this IS ncc
sary order 10 protect tho rights and authority
the Church.
The Christian Brothers were not represented at the
Maynooth synod, and tho secret OF the deliberations
was so well kept at oast SO lar as they were con.
ccrned, that they knew nothing about those do.
crccs until tho general publication last spring.
They came on them like thundcrbo.
j
carried into operation, would bc TO strip
them of all proprietary rights IN the school csiab
the mercy of tue several bishops and perhaps ovcn
parish priests. Already IN one place where they
not the loyal owners OF tho buildings, they havo
obliged by the Bishop TO give up possession. This
might happen generally, u, IN their management OF
the local eccIesastcal authority. AT all they
could no longer. act with tho same freedom IN tho
management OF their schools and the general work OF
education as when they were proprietors OF their
houses. Besides, II they were removed from their
school establishments, they would have no place icr.
aud thus their institute might be indirectly but ccc-
lively. suppressed Thcy arc IN this respect much
worse of tnan the regular clergy. wno,
II they drivon out OF thcir schools
and colleges would still their churches anu resi-
denccs and could maintain themselves by the work Of
the ministry. Indeed, as II anticipating this storm
the Christian Brothers used TO lakc tho prccaut,e
whom making new settlement TO have tho sch
buildings and residence con veyed to themselves
| to protect themselves against the chance Of capric
il has also been observed on their sido that tho
GIGS md donations have boen bequeatned or givoti
much to tho schools as mere schools, DuL ~ e
Brothers. Many OF those beneactions have comr i y
graceful scholars desrous TO manifest thcir 500
| the blessings OF the good education which thoy
received by augmenting the comforts Of thor
| structors THIS species of property ought In eqc
to be regarded The strict properly o tho Broi hd
| as much as bequcsts or donations given TO the ),
uits, Dom,nicans others OF the regular Clergy.
| proposal deal with them tho Christian Brothe
were dealt with by those DEGREES would be resisted
| thom most obstinatey.
| rnE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AppgAL TO ROME
After their first surprise the Chrlstan BroLnors
on loot somc inquiries. aud IRON what tncy learnee
they became convinced that the bishops really meant
TO IN their own hands tho proprietary rights
over the school establishments, be tree nere-
alter to dcai with them and their occupants as they
might think best Tor the good OF the Church. The
decree stated that thus was necessary 10 protect tne
| rights and authority Of tho Church. Tho Brothers
came to the conclusion that they must appeal TO the
| Papal authorities and lay the whole matter before
them, and solicit the abrogation, ut tho ms
gatlon, of the decrecs. lndeed this neces
sary Tor once tho decrees had been approved by tho
Pspai authority home only that could alter thcm.
Accordingly they have lad their before tho Con.
gregaton de Propaganda Fde, which Is tho COMMITTEES
OF cardinals charged with Irish AFFAIRS
need scarcely add that ail this business has boon
kept very quiet But Is vouched for by the very
best authority there Is reason why the roadors Of
the HERALD should not bc made acquainted with IT,