THE PAPAL DECREE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1851, 26 May 1888, Page 3

THE PAPAL DECREE.

The following ia the Papal Decree on whioh hia Holiness condemns boycotting, and the Plan of Campaign : — " On several occasions the Apostolic See haa given the people of Ireland, whom it baa always regarded with special benevolence, suitable admonition, and advice when circumstances oalled for it, as to how they might defend their righta without injury to justice or publio peace. Our Holy Father fearing m the warfare that has been introduced among tho Irish m the contest between the landlords and tenants, and whioh ia commonly oalled tbe Plan of Campaign, and m a kind of sooial interdiot oalled boycotting arising from the same contest, the true Benso of justioe and charity might be perverted ordered the Supreme Oongregation of the Inquisition to aubjeot the matter to serious and careful examination. Hence the following was proposed to their Eminenoeß the cardinala at that oongregation — 'Is it permissable m disputes between the landlords and tboir tenants m Ireland to use tho means known as Plan ot Campaign — and boycotting.' Aftor long and nature deliberation their Eminonoos unanimously answered m tbe negative and their deoision was confirmed by the Holy Father on Wednesday the 19th of the present month. The justice of the decision will bo readily Been by anyone who applies hia mind to consider that ront agroed upon by mutal consent oannot without violation of contract, be diminished at the mere will of tho tenants especially when there are tribunals appointed for settling euoh controversies, and reduoing unjust ren.a without tbe bounds of equity after taking into aocount the causes whioh diminish the value of the land. Neither can it be oonbidered permissible that . rents Bbould be extorted from tenants, and deposited m the bands of unknown persons to the detriment of tbe land owners. Finally it is oontrary to justioe and charity to perseoute by sooial interdict those who are required to pay the rents they agreed to pay or thoao wbo m tho exercise of their righta take vacant holdings. It will therefore bo your Lordships' du.y prudently but effectually to advice and exhort the clergy and laity not to transgress the bounds of Christianity and justice whilo thoy are striving for a remedy for their distressed condition. It. Cardinal Monaco, Home, April 20th, 1888." It will be Been that m this the Pope makes no mention of tho National Loaguo. The Nationalists have determined lo continue tho plan m Bpito of tho Papal docr.ee. Mr Dillon epoko at Horbertßtown on tho 27th April, and said tho Pope bad only an imperfeot knowledge of the facts, and tbat justice, nature, and necessity combined to condemn tho interpretation of tho Holy Father. Tho oommon sense of mankind would be found superior to tbe instigations of tho Propaganda. A Dublin deepatoh of April 30th Bays tho irritation oaueed by the Popo's deoreo against the Plan of Campaign is manifesting itself strongly m antipathy to Monsignor Perßico, on whose report the decree is based. In tho neighborhood of the Convent, wbero tho Papal emissary resides, people, who formerly aalutod him with respect, refuse to recognise him, and the local bakery refuses to furnish broad to tho Convent while tho Moneignor resides there, It has .onußed extremely biUer feoling among the Nationalists, who indignantly resent Govornmont intrigueß with the Vatican, whilo tho Conservatives and Orangemen are uneasy, fearing that m return for tho Pope's action, Government will make a oonoesdion m connection with the E'luoation question, which ooncossiono they are determined to oppose. A later dispatch from Homo, April 29tb, says that tho College of tho Holy Office was Charged to examino Monsignor Poraico'a reports and decide, whether Catholioa, who belong to tho National League, are guilty of sin and dobarred from absolution. The Congregation, the Pope proßiding, replied m tho affirmative, and drew up a deoreo to thut offeot. Cardinal Simeoni ftfrwarded it to Ire« land with special instructions to Monsignoi Persico and the Irish opisopaoy, when m. atruoting the Clergy to enforco it, to inform them thai they must refueo absolution tc anyono deolining to ronounoe membership m the League ia accordance with the order oi tho Pope. A spooial commission of Oardinnlß is examining Irish offairfl, and especially the agitation now going on, with tha object ol taking further steps, and perhaps revising what has already boon done. Mr Gladstone thinks the deoroa wil' strengthen tho oauso of Home Rule. Archbishop Walßh, now m Home, deolarof his roadineas to submit to the Pope's order but will resign his dioooeo rathor than act ir opposition to his consoionoG. Bbould h< resign it is rumored that ho will be oreatod t Cardinal. •