The Portland daily press., 1883-06-14
THE POPE ALARMED
By the Ungracious Reception of
His Letter to Irish Bishops.
Cardinal Slmeoni Elaborately Ex-
plains the Document.
1t Does Not Mean to Interfere with
Politics.

New YORK, June 12.-The Rome correspon-
dent of the Herald had an interview yestet-
day with Cardinal Simeoni, who made the
following statement: "The letter to the Irish
Bishops had no political aim or purpose. Into
political Questions the Holy Father has him.
self said and, the Osssrvatove Romano has
since repeated, he cannot and does not enter.
The letter was disciplinary and written in the
interests of morality and discipline only. It
could matter nothing or very little to the Holy
Father whether Mr.. Parnell received testi-
monlal OF 10000, or 100000 or q million lire.
Mr.. Parnell was personally not in the mind of
the Holy Father or the propaganda when the
letter was issued, but behind Mr.. Parnell and
sheltered under the prestige of his name are
many agitators, Irish and American, whose con-
duct is immoral and revolutionary, tending to
sow dissension between nations and to create a
breach between priests and people," "This
very morning. continued Cardinal Simeoni,
''the Holy Father said to me, the Irish have
always been led By the priests, and it is to be
hoped that the priests and the people will al
ways be united in Ireland. Moreover, the
Holy Father said to me. and appeared gratified
by the fact, that agitation in Ireland is surely
subsiding. The letter of the propaganda is be-
ing implicitly obeyed, both By the bishops and
the people. l should willingly see cessation
ef angry discussion with all who suffer as the
Irish suffer. The Holy. Father warmly ex-
pressed his best wishes for ireland, aud said to
us: Il feel now and shall ever continue to
feel the deepest sympathy with the Irish peo-
pie, and especially with the Irish tenants, and
SO long as the Irish or any nationality take
moral means, such as the law permits, of ad-
vancing their patriotic cause, should never
for moment think it necessary to interfere
The Cardinal continued: "The proga9anda's
letter was not even intended as a rebuke or re-
proach to the bishops 1t was simply issued as
fatherly warning, showing them into what
pitfalls they might be led by some who, under
cover of testimonial subscription, seemed to
be fostering possibly murder, but certainly uE-
lawful agitation and Interfering with indiv-
dual liberty. Yes, interfering with liberty for,
as / lately remarked in conversation with
Archbishop Croke, whom we have not rebuked
in the letter of his propaganda any more than
the rest OF the bishops, you said, Monsignore,
in a recent address, something to this effect,
Give to this fund, and BY the measure OF
your liberality shall your patriotism be Judged
By acting in this way undue pressure Is
brought to bear upon individuals"
''The discussion created by the letter of the
propaganda" continued the Cardinal "did
not forbid agitation at public meetings nor for
bid the priests from attending and voting at
meetings, so long as they made no violent
speeches, but used their influence TO calm the
angry passions which rage at such gatherings.
they are not forbidden by the propaganda, nor
does the holy father forbid them to attend
meetings. The question is far broader, higher
and simpler than has been stated. With per-
sons and politics the holy father has nothing TO
do, but 1t was his duty to show the way OF true
morality to those who were in danger OF for
saking it. The letter Of the propaganda APP
plies to all Catholics, irrespective of nationali-
ty. 1t may be studied by Americans, Austria
lisns and Irish with equal profit. may add
that the Holy Father said to me, I'm the mat
ter of the letter OF the propaganda, it would be
well to make it clear to all Catholics that the
Holy See neither has acted, nor will act, un-
der the pressure of any foreign Government
whatever" In further conversation the Car
dinal said it could be inferred that Mr.. Erring-
ton has assumed imaginary importance in
making 1t appear that he had been influential
in bringing about the issuing OF the letter, and
but for the indiscretion Of the person who
made the letter public, it would have remained
private.
The Cardinal stated that the American
Arcbbishops have been summoned to Rome
but on no political business, nor UPON anything
in connection with the letter of the propagan-
da. The American Archbishops are expected
at Rome in November. They will probably
stay at the American College. It was stated
by an ecclesiastic at the Vatican that the Pope
yesterday refused to grant Mr.. Errington a
farewell audience, and Errington has left
Rome.
In an interview with Cardinal Jacobini, Sec
retary of State, the Cardinal stated that he was
happy to see that the violent passions aroused
by the letter of the propaganda were calming
down. He also, in reference to the interview
held recently with President Sullivan OF the
Irish National League, expressed much graft
ficatioD at Mr.. Sullivan's submissive attitude,
and promised TO bring the matter to the notice
of the Pope.
In reference to the Ecclesiastical BILL now
before the German Landtag, Cardinal Jacobini
said the bill was doubtless step toward the
satisfaction which the church had hoped and
prayed for. But it was only step, and 1t
could hardly be expected that the church
would be content until the oppressive laws OF
May are repealed. "Tbe church" )" added the
Cardinal, "has shownsas much good will, and
has given such ready help to the various Gov
ernmeL Is of the world that 1t may reasonably
hope that its patience will be sooner or later
reWarded,n -