ROMAN CATHOLICS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 509, 17 May 1909, Page 5

ROMAN CATHOLICS.

CIOSED OFFICES. AMENDMENT OF DECI.ABATION. IMPORTANT STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER, (BI TKLKGIUrn— PRESS ASSOCIATION— CWTBIOBT.) (Rec. May 16, 4.45 p.m.) London, May IS. Tlio J?j)l introduced Win, Redmond (Nationalist member for East Clare) /or t3io romayal of Roman Catholic disabilities was read n second time in 'tli'b HOU6O of Commons by 133 votes to 123. Tho Bill whs then sent to si committee of tjia whole House, which is equivalent lo shelving it. The Primo Minister, ' Mr. ■ Asquithj npprovod of tho opening of tho Lord Chancellorship and tho Viccroyalty of IrelaiuJ to Roman Gatholice. Ho said tho Accession Declaration was the'flimsiest and most unnecessary safeguard, Mr. Asqujth suggested tho appointment of a committee to find a form of declaration thevt would bo inoffciisivo to any religious susceptibilities.

' THE ACCESsfoN,DECLARATION. - The Accession Oath, which was taken by King Edward,- states Hint:—''l, Edward, do solemnly ~ .■■ dtclnrp that I do Relieve that in tho Sacrament of the tord'e , Jsuppcr th«re ie not npy transnbstantiation of the cleinente of bread and wine into the body und blood of Christ. . . ... and that the invocation or adoration of the Virgin Mary,' or any other saint, and tho (sacrifice of., the ilae?, us they are now üßeji, in the Church;cf Koine, tie .supcretjtiniis Rna. idolatrous." : A royised form of tha Oath .was sujijfcsUd sopie time ego by o "fyftett Committee of the House of Lords/ Tjiis simply required the King to doolare his disbelief in transubstantiatipn and the invocation of saints without the use of the words "superstitious' and idolatrous,'? The declaration that the words of the Oath are used without equivocation, mental reservation, or. dispensation granted by tho Popo is aleo dropped- J!lip rented form wae, however, so much criticised that it was withdrawn, though 't had received tho assent of the then Archbishop of Canterbury. '.•.■•'•' '..-■•■■■■■ Ifprd, Braye asked in tne House of Lords ip December lhsfc if jhe Government would iintroduce a Bill 1 to abolish that part of the Sorereign'e Accession Declaration with the words "superstitious and idolatrous," which' is objectionable to Roman Catholics. Lord Grave, while deprecating' present discussion, said that the Government had been'considering the matter. "I hope it may ho possible for the Governmont, before very; long, to submit some proposals," The Duke of Norfolk..the foremost lionian Catholic Poer, was graceful to the Governfiiont. "I hope they will Rep their way to ;let the inntter fake practical form early next session. Lord Lanfidowne said he was glad that the Government were trying to find a solution acceptable'to both, sides. There was a protest from Lord Kinnaird. 'fTou are altering the law of the country and: the Church, • I hope your lordships will; not po away with the impression that any snch pro. posal irill he Quietly acqiiieseed {n throughout the country," ■~'.., , ' . ■:.■..■■■■.'?