Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-06-07
Bishop GiImour's Pastoral DenouRefr
Lady Land LeaRaerS.

In answer to my grave and severe eriti-
| cism of last week on the formation of
ladies' branch of the Parnell Land League
of Cleveland, the "presidentess" thereof last
Sunday afternoon informs her audience and
| the public that they must away with such
dictstion as their bishop gave them when he
told them "the noisy political arena was no
! place Tor women" 10 the same hall, and by
one OF the men who are pushing
forward these silly women, it was
said at the same meeting: "If they
were to be ruled by Scotch or Italian or
English priests, we had better shut down on
the whole lot" Another addresses his bishop
as "Gilmour," and the tone of all the adj
dresses is go fagrantly disrespectful of bishop
and priest that il becomes necessary to speak
in terms that will leave no misunderstand-
ing. So long this Parnsll Br snch of the
| Land League confined itself TO the simple
discussion of the Irish question, passed
them in comparative silence, as l am
strongly in sympathy with the cause OF
| Ireland, and have ever spoken 10 clear terms
upon the question, both in Cleveland and
elsewhere, when time and place presented an
opportunity. No man has ever spoken
stronger words than l on the wrongs Of
Ireland, seen in my late lecture on the
Land Lesgue. l resented, and to-day re-
sent the imputation ard the charge 60
| industriously made by men of this Par
nell Branch of the Land League, that
because 1 refused to advocate the ''no
rent" policy so lately in vogue, therefore,
II am the enemy of Ireland. reject such a
| charge as simply untrue. So long as this
Land League society had confined itself to
male membership, they and 1 would have
probably had but a difference OF opinion as
to the means TO help the cause of Ireland.
They had their views; had mine; and we
were free 10 differ, and as men act it out
men. Butwhen they bring women into the
arnIa
my flock, to make them brawling politicians,
and under the plea of patriotism attempt to
| destroy female modesty, and so bring shame
on every Catholic woman OF Ireland, then it
is time to speak, and to speak in words that
will end dispute. When the question is
squarely raised of choosing between female
modesty and pretended patriotism, then /
place myself on the side of female modesty,
and when it cones to defending the female
modesty Of my flock gainst the brazen IN
womaniiness of female politicians, 1 accept
| the gage and will see that no Catholic woman
within my diocese shail turn herself into
brawling politician. Ifthere are women of
| this kind, and il there are women in. Cieve-
| land who will turn themselves into brawling
politicians, then they shall not be Catholic
women; and if heretofore they have so called
themselves, then the public shall know they
are no longer. No woman within the
diocese of Cleveland shall at the same time
be a Catholic and brawling politician. The
Catholic woman must live within the mod
esty of the home. She must be the ornament
of the family circle, and her womanly del
icacy and gentle nature shall not be tainted
| with the noisy brawl of the virago. Woman
| must be woman. Women shall not be per-
mitted to unsex themselves, and at the same
time within the limits of the diocese Of
Cleveland remain q member of the Catholic
Church.
Now, therefore, 1, Richard Gilmour, by
the grace of God and the appointment of
the apostolic see, bishop of Cleveland, here
/! by, and by these presents, excommunicate,
| and declare communicated, ip0 fact9, and
| within the limits of the diocese of Cleveland,
: cut off from the communion of the Catholic
I Church any woman now member of the
f. Parnell Branch of the Ladies' Land League
of Cleveland, who shall attend any meeting
f! of the said Ladies' Land League in what is
known as the Parnell Hall, Cleveland; or,
] on the other hand, whether such meeting be
! held next Sunday afternoon, or hereafter at
i any other time or place.
L further declare excommuuIca ted, ipso
| fdcto, and within the limits of the diocese of
Cleveland, cut off from the communion of
| the Catholic Church, any woman or women
| who shall, after the publication of this, Join
said mentioned Ladies' Land League. Fee
male modesty must be maintained, let the
cost be what it may. No Catholic woman
| shall be permitted 10 forget her womanhood,
or, if she does, abe shall within the diocese
Of Cleveland cease to be in communion with
the Catholic Church.
| We hereby direct that next Sunday the
4th instant, this letter shall be read at all
the masses, in all the English-speaking
churches of this city of Cleveland, and we
also direct the pastors to warn the women of
their respective congregations against join
ing the above Ladies' Land League, or in
any manner countenaueing any movement
which will tend to faint or lessen among US
| Catholic female modesty.
Given under my hand and seal, at my
episcopal residence, Cleveland, the LIST day
of June, 1882. GILMoUR,
Bishop of Cleveland, o.