Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-06-16
LEO AND THE IRISH.
The POpe's Organs Denounce the Par
neIIites and Defend the Manifesto.


neIIites and Defend the Manifesto.
Rome Special to London Times.
Notwithstanding the influence exerted
by that section of the Irish clergy resident
in the colleges here who strenuously adj
vOcate Archbishop Croke's views, the
clerical papers unanimously approve the
circular sent to the Irish Bishops, and
spare no pains in exactly setting forth its
significance and meaning. The journal
de Rome, in leader entitled Ireland and
the Revolution reminds MesSrs. Biggar
Mayne and others present at the
Land League in Dublin on the 10th ult..
that the circular was addressed TO the
Irish Bishops and clergy, not to members
of Parliament, and still less to members
of the League; that the Holy See had
taken good care not to trespass on politi-
cal ground; that it did not pretend to ex-
ercise any direct influence over Mr.. Par
nell and his friends, but that at the same
time it had not the slightest intention of
abdicating its legitimate authority over
the Bishops and clergy of Ireland. 1t
had used an undoubted right, and had
fulfilled an imperative duty in watching
that the words of the Pope, guardian of
justice and morals and protector of Feligi-
GUS interests, be 0beyed by the faithful.
The Journal de Rome asks
"When has the Holy See pretended to
impose a line OF policy on ireland. Never,
Let then the Irish Leaguers show that
respect for Roman theology thew nrofess
That theology repudiates secret societies.
cOnspiracies and immoral practices
known in Ireland as boycOtting. Roman
theology knows nothing of such things.
Take that theology, and your politics will
be purified from impure alliances
which detract singularly from the inter-
est Christian nations feel in Ireland's suf-
terIngs. AssassinatiOns will then dis
appear from the political customs
of the Ireland of to-day. The name
of OCOnnell was mentioned at this meet
ing, but what comparison is possible be-
tween the great O'COnnell and Mr.. Par
nell, the friend of Clemenceau and Roche
fort? Mr.. Mayne so far forgot himself as
to say that the Pope is the head of the
Catholic Church, but Mr.. Parnell is the
head of the political church. Can those
who pronounce such words pretend to
be Catholics. 1t is necessary
that in Ireland, and, in fact, everywhere,
there should be radical absolute separa-
ton between the struggle by Cath
Olics for justice and law and the
struggle by the revolution for injustice
and disorder. Should some Irishmen
miscOnstrue the voice of the Holy See and
give their option for the revolution in
their choice between the Pope and rev.
dictionary societies, they must remember
that the church can never abdicate from
the purity of her morals and the integrity
of her principles to please any one. The
Catholic Church must be Obeyed, or she
must be renOunced."
The MOniteur de Rome says:
"POlitics play absolutely no part in the
letter which the Propaganda has adj
dressed to the Irish Bishops. If the Holy
See has seen fit to send certain instruc-
tiOns to the Irish episcOpate and clergy,
1t has been because the Times, which is
certainly not clerical organ, has said:
"The highest moral and religious interests
are at stake The Propaganda has in no
way pretended, as certain Irish Catholics
are inclined to believe, to interfere in
their political affairs. The circular, in
view of the actual state of things in Ire
land, did no more than insist ON certain
practical rules of morality and conduct
which apply to all times and to all coun-
tries"
The Liberal newspapers refer to the
circular sent by the Holy See to the Irish
Bishops. They condemn this circular,
which is limited to reprObating secret
societies, murder, intimidation and the
collection of money for rebellIous pur-
poses, as an interference with the political
liberty of the Irish; and indOrse the opin-
ions of it which the members of the Land
League have expressed. The OpiniOne
writes thus:
''In short, the Germans and the Irish
distinguish between religion and politics,
as we Italians also do. They recognize the
authority of the Pope in questions which
are merely spiritual; but they do not feel
themselves at all obliged to respect it
when it Overpasses those confines"
The Liberdtd says:
''The general reprObatiOn which the Pa
pal manifesto has met with in Ireland is
notorious. 1t is a new proof of the want
of wisdom on the part of the Vatican,
which has not been able to understand
that, if the assassinations committed in
Ireland are to be reprObated, the same
cannot be said of the sentiment of indie
pendence and liberty which animates the
Irish.''
The Optnione suggests that the circular
was evidently written at the instigation
OF the English Government. OF course it
could not be expected that Italian Liber-
ais would be pleased at the fact of the
Vatican having deserved well of any
country.