Morris tribune., 1883-05-19
THE POPE's CIRCULAR.
Commotion Caused Among the
Prominent Irish Agitators by Pope
Leo XIII.

Prominent Irish AgitatOrs by Pope
Leo XIII.
London Gable: Mr.. Parnell is reported
to have expressed himself as satisfied that
the government party were endeavoring to
produce spirit of disorganization in the
new national league by making false use of
the peoples letter forbidding active po-
litical agitation against the government by
the Irish clergy. Mr.. Parnell says that the
napal letter is more advisory than man.
datory, the Catholic church not being state
church. Ifsuch letter should be addressed
by the church of England to the clergy
of the Established church, it would un-
doubtedly be mandatory, but there being
no such political relation between the
Church of Rome and the Irish people, the
utterances of the pope would be properly
appreciated and obeyed by the Irish Catho-
lie clergy without in any sense interfering
with their real political freedom of action.
Michael Davitt, along with el0 contr1-
button to the Parnell tribute. sends yigor-
Gus letter expressing his Indignation at the
action of the Vatican.
at will be an suspicious day for the
Catholic church in Ireland" he says,
"when the people become convinced that
the holy can see through political intrigues,
and that they can be the instrument of
English Wing diplomacy"
He calls it a trick, and advocates that the
Parnell fund be swelled to 5000.
The pope's letter to the Irish bishops,
disappearing of the Parnell testimonial
fund.- is the subject of many interviews
with prominent Irishmen. Secretary
Brennan of International league said that:
When the pope talked of Irish politics,
| Hishmen would have as much respect for
his opinions as for those OF any other man
of equal ability, no more and no less. If
| he took sides with England against Ireland
| then Irishmen would be against the pope.
| He thought the circular would not effect
the contributions. The Irish people could
retaliate if they wished by stopping Peters
pence.
Mr.. Breslin, ofthe Irish Nation, said the
circular will react on the church by increas-
| ing infidelity. Instead of making Eng
land Catholic, it will make Ireland Protest
ant. The English government has made an
attempt to win the priests to its side, and is
succeeding The dream of the pope is to
secure the conversion of England. To at
tain that end he would be willing that Ire
land should remain in chains through all
eternity.
The Citizen, published by John +. Finer
|
nois district, Chicago has the following ed
itorial, headed Boycott the rope:
Of all the productions of papal interior
ce in the affairs of Ireland that have
marked the policy of the Vatican from the
days of Adrian ", to those of John XXI,
| and from the reign of that pontiff to the
| present lime, the last circular addressed by
| Leo XIII, to Iish bishops and clergy with
regard to the Parnell fund, is the most in
1 &Ola 1nY1f tha frich
submit cravenly to this latest Italian lash,
the whip being furnished by the pope's wor
| thy ally Victoria, "by the grace ofGod, "
and so forth, queen of Great Britain and Ire
land, and empress of India, they will forfeit
the respect of the world at large. But,
"What are they going to do about it?" may
be asked. Wereply, Let them hold public
meetings throughout every diocese of Ire
land, pass resolutions denouncing any more
politics, and tell him, once for all time,
firmly and respectfully, to mind bis own
business, as head of the Catholic church.
| They might supplement this action by re-
solving not to contribute a single cent OF
| Peters pence" while Leo XIII. occupies the
papal chair, or at least until he quits his
palpable and scandalous political alliance
with the arch enemy of the Irish
nation and race. In word, we advise
our countrymen, if they have any respect
| for themselves or for Ireland to boycott the
| cope and tea h him lesson that may be
serviceable at least to his successors. Cut
off some of the momentary supplies of Leo
| XIII. and teach him, without being under
stood. that the Irish race cannot be bull
| dozed into slavery by the bayonets of Eng
| land or by the thunders of Rome. We hope
the Irish bishops and clergy will have back
bone enough TO resent this Roman outrage
| on their patriotism. Ireland will stand by
| them against POPE Leo and every other for
| eign bushboy, be che Saxon or Italian"