THE POPES VIEWS ON IRELAND.

Temuka Leader, Issue 341, 15 January 1881, Page 2

THE POPES VIEWS ON IRELAND.

The Tablet has the following from its Roman correspondent regarding the views expressed by the Pope to the Irish prelates on their visit to Rome regarding the state of affairs in Ireland ; “ Ireland they said, was at no period of her history more loyal than at present to Rome, nor wore the Irish ever more attentive in the discharge of their religious and Christian duties. Leo XIII then asked concerning the land agitation in Ireland, and expressed his hope that no crimes would bs committed by the people. The prelates remarked that very few crimes had been committed in Ireland, and that most of the crimes which been perpetrated were not traceable to agrarian causes. Agitation was the usual method employed under the British Constitution toobtain redress

of grievances. By agitation the great measure of Catholic emancipation, the abolition of tithes, the Iteform Bill, the corn laws, (fee. had been effected, and jfchey earnestly hoped by agitat’on to obtain from the British Parliament in its next se&sion the passing of a land bili which would give security in their holdings to Irish tenants, and, also giye satisfaction to all parties interested i« the settlement of the land question. To those declarations ot the bishops he listened attentively, and, after asking information in detail on several points, said, with much solemnity : “ There are two things which, in regard to this agitation in Ireland, weigh upon my mind as all important. The first is the conservation of the Catholic faith in .Ireland, but on this point I confess 1 feel the less anxiety when I reflect on the marvellous way in which the Catholic faith has hitherto been maintained in your country. The past is a pledge for the future, and I am convinced that the Irish faith will never falter. The second is the union between the priests and the people, so as to exclude all revolutionary principles. As long as the Catholic priests and bishops continue to |eud the people.’l hav& no fear that socialistic or communistic notions will take root in Ireland, and I therefore charge upon you to do your utmost to keep out principles which lead to violence and evil, and to preserve union among yourselves as prelates, and harmony between the people and the priests.” The bishops replied that there was at pn. sent no question of revolution in Ireland, and that they sought for nothing save what could be obtained by legal and constitutional means. They wished to force on the British Government the necessity of making a substantial change in the relations between landlords and tenants, relations which have been for centuries productive of disasters and discontent. The priests and the people were acting together in full accord, and were determined by constitutional agitation to obtain redress of their wrongs. The Pope expressed his full approval of the sentiments of the bishops, and his desire to see them again before they left Rome.