PUBLIC CEMETERIES.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9238, 16 October 1895, Page 3

PUBLIC CEMETERIES.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir, —Permit mc space to say a few words re a letter which appeared in yesterday's (Tuesday) issue under the above heading, and signed "Common Sense." I can't help thinking that had the writer a little more of the commodity called after his norn de plume he would remain silent after reading your report (which I presume he did) of the interview between the Mayor, your reporter, and the young priest in charge on the Sunday of the funeral referred to. One can scarcely imagine what be is driving at except" it is to belittle his Lordship Dr. Grimes in the eyes of his flock and the general public He states as a fact " that his Lordship has issued an edict that no burial shall take place on Sunday-." I doubt very much if this is correct, though I admit that Sunday funerals are discountenanced by his Lordship and clergy." If the edict has beeausued, perhaps "Common Sense" would enlighten your readers by telling them when and where did be see or bear it read.

Again this Solon says :—••-1 feel confident, were his Lordship an Irish instead of an English Catholic, no such rule would have been established." Is the writer of the above a Catholic ? If so, his expression is decidedly non-Catholic, as nationality has no priority in the Catholic Church, and there are no such distinctions as English, Irish, &&, Catholics. Before criticising Dr. Grimes (for this " C.S. " in his letter does, though ostensibly defending the Mayor) he should have made himself acquainted with facts, when he would, I venture to say, believe as I do, viz., that, had Dr. Grimes been shown the necessity for a funeral taking place on a Suuday, he would not .-iuly have sanctioned it, but, if required, or iv the absence of a priest, officiateii himself thereat, rather than hurt the feelings of tho humblest in his congregation by having consigned to the grave the remains of their departed relative without the rites of Holy Church. —Yours, <_c, Catholic, October 15th.