The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-01-23
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH.

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH.
In recent issue OF the Chicago
Record Herald, Mr.. William E. Curtis,
who is a Presbyterian, wrote his
torical sketch of Henry VIII. and re-
lated the matrimonial experiences If
that r,yal monster, saying among 9TH
to sanction the Kings divorce from
Catherine of Aragon changed the re-
ligion of England from Catholicism 10
Professionalism. Such G. statement Of
fact was challenged by several men,
bers of the Anglican faith who appear
to be ashamed of the first head Of their
church by law established, and they
have written to Mr.. Curtis, denying
the truth Of his assertion, one of them
saying that England has never mad
but one religion; it has never changed
that religion, and it has that religion
still"
That is a remarkable statement to
make, and one that is not susceptible
Of demonstration. Mr.. Curtis, how
ever, does not retract, lut repeats that
"the Church of England became sep
arated from the Church of Rome" It
that time, and quotes Henry WILL who
declared himself to he 1.-The one pro-
tector of the English church, its only
and supreme lord, and, az far as might
be by the laws of Christ, it's supreme
head" All his subjects in England
were expected to acknowledge it under
oath. That is. what is meant in his
tory by the oath of supremacy" Eng
land thenceforth was practically q
Protestant nation, says Mr. Curtis, an1
it is so today, King Edward VII.
being the pope or heal of the Church
OF England The brilliant correspol-
dent gives additional Information to his
fault finding critics, which is of more
interest to our Irish American readers
in the Northwest:
In 1887 Henry VIII. attempted TO
make Ireland Protestant nation, and
called parliament at Dublin which
was attended by all The chieftains ex-
cept the Kildares-once the greatest
OF them all, but at that time the only
survivor was a boy Of II, who was
hiding in the hogs 10 save his life.
Without dissenting vote that parlil-
ment passed what Is known as the "act
of supremacy" which, in effect, rec-
ognized the authority Of the king as
superior to that of the pope and con-
ferred upon Henry VIII. the title. CT
King of Ireland. AS compensation his
Of the Irish chiefs. ONeill was made
Earl of Tyrone, O'Brien Earl .f
Thomonde. Burke Earl Of Clanrickarde
and many other chiaftains were ele-
waited to the peerage. Thirteen of the
largest and wealthiest lnorasteries and
400 other religious houses were sup
pressed and their property was divid.d
among the new earls. 1t is estimated
to have included nearly one-half Of
the entire wealth Of Ireland. Protest.
antism was officially established, ami
Henry VIII. was proclaimed Defender
OF the Faith and of the Church Of Eng
land and Ireland on Earth the Supreme
Head. This also was received with
comparative Indifference by the people,
but when the venerated relics of The
saints and martyrs, including the
sacred staff Of st. Patrick, were burn
ed in the market place Of Dublin tho
trouble began. The attempt to forcA
Professionalism on the country broke
down all local and personal rivalry,
and the people united against the
crown.
Thereafter the Irish parliaments
were entirely Protestant, for all citi-
Gems who would not accept Protestant
ism were disfranchi.ed. What are
known as the penal laws" were pass
ed by the parliament Of 1895, ana
they were the worst that have ever
been g. ven to Ireland in the form If
statutes. These laws were intended
to suppress the Catholic religion, but
while they succeeded IL impoverisn-
ins ana degrading the people, they on
ly strengthened their faith. as has besn
the result OF all persecuticns.'
Rev DR.. Randolph III, McKim. rector