The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-19

Draw England Nearer so Rome.
Interviews in New York World.
Mr.. Thomas Brennan the honorary secre-
tary of the Irish National League, was seen
at the Astor House.
What effect do you think the Popes cir
cular will have upon the agitation in Ire
land?"
ut will have no effect, whatever" replied
Mr.. Brennan. 1--WE have divorced religion
from politics in Ireland. When the Pope
speaks ex cathedra his opinion will be re-
spected, but when he talks of the politics of
Ireland we have just as much respect for his
opinion as for that of any other man of
ability-no more and no less. If he takes
will be against the Pope"
will it have the effect of silencing the
priests who have heretofore been prominent
in the Land League agitation?"
"They all have to bow:to the instructions
from Rome or cease to be priests; but it
won't change their private opinions. We
shall still have their sympathies. and the
Irish people are now quite competent to mind
their own political business. There was a
time, before the people of Ireland became
educated, when it was necessary that the
priests should take leading part in politics;
but that time has fortunately gone by"
What effect will it have on the Parnell
fund2''
II think it will increase the subscriptions
to that fund, because people who would not
otherwise have subscribed will Eow do so to
show their resentment at the Pope's interior
ence with a matter that does not concern
him. The Irish people can draw the lines
very distinctly between politics and religion.
They know where religion ends and politics
begin"
',What course will Archbishop Croka
take?'
II can scarcely give an opinion as to that.
He is in peculiar position. He is pledged
to yield implicit obedience to all instruction.
from the Pope or he ceases to be archbishoto
The church does not allow the priests mucSn
freedom of action in regard to politics"
do you think it will cause the people oil
Ireland to fall away from the church to any
extent?" nj
NO. don't think so, but it may ALLEVIATE
somewhat their personal regard for the Pope.
The Irish people can retaliate now if they
wish by stopping Peters pence.
Remember" said Mr.. Brennan, as the re-
porter took his leave, "all have told you is
based on the supposition that the Pope's cir
cular has been correctly quoted. That yet
remains to be proven, though"
The reporter met Mr.. John Walsh and Mr.
Frank Byrne walking up Park place. Both
of them, it will be remembered, the British
government endeavored to get exradited
from France, but failed. ti
Il do not think, said Mr.. Byrne, "that
the Pope's circular supposing that a cor
rect version of it has been cabled over, will
have any effect on the agitation in Ireland,
except to intensity the feeling .of,.the Irish
people in favor of the independence of Ire
q mr. Tllora ~ of fiaia -.
who would, if they could, sink Ireland to
the bottom of the sea tomorrow if necessary
to bring few English lords over to catholi-
cism''s Is A1.n. - e's9.a-l
g Mr.. Walsh here Joined in the conversation
and said: There are three English noble
men that have more influence in Rome than
all the Catholics of ireland put together
They are the Duke of Norfolk, the MARQUIS
of Butte and the Marquis of Rpon."
The Pope's circular is a most tyrannical
document" said Mr.. Byrne.
1t will be another convincing proof" said
Mr. Walsh, that the time has come to draw
the line very sharply between politics and
religion, In this matter the Pope is med
ding with something that is no affair of
his"
Mr.. Breslin, of the Irish Nation, read aloud
the Geographic report of the Pope's !
ciscular, and when he came to the con-
GLIDING sentence: Therefore the Parnell |
fund is disapprovcd, and no clergyman
should recommend subscriptions thereto or
promote it," exclaimed: what lame and |
impotent conclusion. would scarcely care |
to express strong opinion upon this mat |
ter, because it is very evident that we have |
received only garbled extracts from the cir |
cular. | look upon it with q deal of sus-
piclon. Parnell has always denounced crimes
and outrages to such an extent that he has |
lost influence with some of the most adj |
vanced Nationalist
AS regards staying agitation, it will be |
without effect, but it will react on the |
church by increasing infidelity. 1t will
make Irish anti-Christians most decided
ly Instead of making England Catholic it
will make Ireland Protestant This thing
will enlarge the gap between the people and |
the priests which has already begun. In
former popular movements for Irish indie
pendence during the last century the people
and the priests were much more united than
they are in this present agitation. The En-
glish government has made an attempt to
win the priests to their side and are succeed
ing
Every priest educated at Maynooth Col
lege has to take an oath of allegiance to the
British government, and an iron-clad oath at
that In fact, he becomes a loyal British
subject and is bound by his oath to MAIN
tain her Majesty's succession to the throne.
The influence of the British government ex-
tends to the appointment of the bishops.
When bishopric becomes vacant the parish
priests OF the district assemble and make
three nominations, and these names are sent
TO Rome. The Pope can select any one of
these three as bishop or he can appoint some
other man. For the last fifty years the
names of those nominated by the priests
have been submitted to the British Prime
Minister for his approval. If he disapproyed,
the Pope also disapproved.
Archbishop Croke would never have