THE REV. FATHER GARAIN ON FENIANISM.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 51, 2 March 1868, Page 3

THE REV. FATHER GARAIN ON FENIANISM.

In accordance with an announcement made at High Mass yesterday morning at St. Mary's, immediately before the reading of the usual Lenten Pastoral of the Bishop of the diocese, the Rev, Father Garin addressed his congregation after "Vespers last evening, on the subject of Feniauism and also on the present phase of the Roman Question. After remarking that although he could say much of his own sentiments on the former topic, he preferred to take the voice of the Church on the subject, and reminding his hearers that the Catholic Bishops of Ireland had several years since formally denounced Fenianism, he proceeded to read portions of a pastoral letter lately isssued by the Archbishop of Westminister. In this his Grace, whilst, sympathising to the fullrs-t extent with the trials and sufferings of the Irish people, very distinctly deuounces Fenianism, and states that it has been condemned by the Piipal authority, which condemns all societies conspiring not only against the Church but also against the civil power. The Pastoral emphatically warns the Catholic people of Ireland against losing sight of the great principle of obedience to the powers ordained of God, which, the Archbishop assures them, would prove their best safeguard against giving way to temptations to insubordination, and he couusels them to use h hijiijw and uiigliliur weapon than these, the violence of faith, that is, of justice, reason, and patieuce, the iuvint'ible power of the kingdom of God, promising them that the accumulations of evils and sufferings which have arisen in Ireland from centuries of conflict of race against race, embittered sevenfold by conflict of religion against religion, will eventually be removed, provided that the gradual and onward movement of England and Ireland to perfect unity and equality be not hindered by violence. The Rev. Father Garin then in very feeling terms gave utterance to his own sense of the trials to wbioh Ireland and its people were subjected, and, after combatting the assertion, so frequently made, that Fenianism had been sanctioned and abetted by the Catholic clergy, remarked that out of a body

some thousands strong^ the names of only about 20 priests had been mentioned in connection with the demonstrations which had lately taken place, and much might be allowed to nationality, and even to expediency under certain conditions, whilst they could not refuse to offer up prayers for the departed, and then noticed how improperly the term 'martyrs,' had been applied to the executed Fenians, when at the same time prayers were asked for the repose of ' their souls, since the only martyrs recognised by the Church needed no such intercession. He then concluded with an earnest and powerful appeal to the Irish members of the consrejratiou to be loyal to their appointed rulers aud patiently to eoutrol their feelings during the present srasou of excitement. The remainder of the address was de.voted to a review oi the causes which led to the preseut settlement of the Roman Question, through the decided action taken by the French nation in parliament in behalf of the temporal power ; quotations being given from several Protestant journals which have testified to the courage and vigor evinced by the Papal troops, to the chivalrous bearing of the French and other volunteers, their forbearance uuder gross provocation, and which suggest that the incidents which have so offcen occurred to save the temporalities of the Holy Father may not be mere accidents, but special providences. The address, which wa3 of considerable length, wati listened to with more than ordinary interest by the numerous congregation present.