THE CHURCH OF IRELAND.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3759, 9 March 1907, Page 2

THE CHURCH OF IRELAND.

For good or ill the Roman Catholic Church still exercises enormous influence in the politics of Ireland. Quite recently, as a cable message informed us, it showed its power by compelling a newspaper to cease publication. According to the Daily Chronicle the Irish Peasant was Nationalist in its views, and had a marked individuality of its own. Its contents were distinguished by high literary quality and a refreshing note of originality.. It was edited by Mr W. P. Ryan, a literateur and journalist well known in London, a man of high character and considerable gifts. A couple of years ago Mr Ryan, who is a true Celt, and therefore an idealist, abruptly ended a promising career in the English metropolis, and returned to his native land, in order to consecrate his talents to the service of his country. He became editor of a little local newspaper in Navan, in the Bovne Valley. Under his direction the Irish Peasant waxed in strength. The scope of its influence soon extended far beyond the locality where it was published. A Dublin office was opened, and there was every likelihood that the paper would become a powerful factor in the life of the nation. ‘‘ At the present time,” said the Chronicle, “Ireland is all astir with new ideas. The economic revival, the renascence of the ancient Irish language, a regenerated national ideal—these things in which the practical and the ideal are curiously blended—fire the imagination and fill the mind of the Irish people. Into all these movements Mr Ryan flung himself with characteristic ardour.” In some way, however, the editor incurred the displeasure of the Church and was “called to order.” The proprietors stood by the editor and braved the wrath of the priests and bishops, but at length Cardinal Logue himself intervened with the warning that he would be compelled to forbid the people to read the journal. The proprietors realised that such a threat from the head of the Church in Ireland was a deathblow, and the Irish Peasant ceased publication. The merits of the quarrel between the editor and the Church need not concern us, but we no not suppose that there is another country in the British Empire where any church could exercise a similar power.