THE POPE'S DEGREE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2490, 26 June 1888, Page 3

THE POPE'S DEGREE.

The history of this decree in all its hearings, we are, perhaps never destined to know, but we are already in possessions of details that seem to throw some light upon it. Our readers are aware that certain pamphlets calumniating the Irish cause have, within the last year or two, been circulated in Rome. To one in particular we draw their attention, namely that written by the Rev. Father Belainy, and which its author in person did all he could to bring under the notice of the Cardinals and other ecclesiastics of high standing. What we slid concerning this pamphlet was in some quarters, considered exaggerated, and even our contemporaries of the Catholic Pr.'ss did not consider the matter seiioiu enough for their attention. We still suspect, iwsrtlie.lcss, and our suspicions arc well founded that there was more importance attached to it than many people were disposed to believe. Another pamphlet has since appeared, written after the style of those infamous publications of the IL.P.U, in the French language, and under the title of La Question Agraiie. This pamphlet has i>en singularly honoured by his Grace the Duke of Norfolk, who, indeed, but for some doubts existing as to his ability to produce even such a composition as this, would be suspected of being in some degree its author, has personally exerted himself to bring it into prominence. It has been placed in possession of every Cardinal and prelate in Komc, and, did nothing but politeness require it, none of these ecclesiastics could refrain from reading a production recommended under such distinguished patronage. W o can conceive, then, how the minds of the Cardinals were prepared to execute thn task appointed them, in consideration of the reports of the landlords sent from Ireland by Monsiguor Persieo. Wliat other view, in fact, could they take of these reports than that which would be taken by the Irish Loyal Patriotic Union. We knew already that breach of contract was an immoral act. But we also knew that no mutual consent existed in 09!) cases out. of 1000 between the Irish landlord and his tenant. Wo knew the landlord in such cases to be a usurer who forced his terms on th , ; man whose necessities had placed him in his power, and we cannot, therefore, see the sin in the victims escaping in a very reasonable way, and by a just payment, from the snare in which ho is entangled. We know that under ordinary circumstances it is an immoral act to refuse the performance of a kindly ofliue to your neighbour; but, as even life may lie taken in self defence, while murder is a heinous crime, in all eases particular circumstances must be considered. Wo say the land-grabber who poes behind his ni.-ijjhbour's back and bids for his house and farm, or who, when his neighbour has born cruelly and wickedly thr.mn out with wife and helpless eh ldnm on the road, rewards the landl 'id for his brutality by taki'ig the laud so vacated, deserves the treatn:ent of a ciimiinl, nnd if u: fit for f c association of decent people. But the true state of the cise was kept bad; from the Cardinals, ,-uri the viiiws on whio'i they based their decision were those in conii'oniiity with the teaching of th.; pamphlets by which they had boon prejudiced, and completely misleading and false. The condemnation pronounced is not bused on exi-;t-iiiK facts, lut on tki'ones of sinfulness anil wickedness, which every child who learns the catechism knows to be sinful and wicked. What, therefore, will be the fat;; of the Monaci Decree? One thing, however, .should become of all this : it should call out from the whole Ji'ish race a vigorous protest against the interference in their religious or political affairs of Eiu.'liah_ Catholics, and a respectable, but firm and determined demand, addressed by them, as a whole, to Rome, that no such interference may be permitted there. What have they to do with the Duke of Norfolk, or the Bishop of Salford, or any other of the hereditary enemies of their nation, let their birth or rank be what it may —even though it were of royal decree? The Pope speaks to them by a higher right, and in a higher name, and they gladly recognise his authority, and are ready, as they have often proved, to obey it under the penalty of dcatli itself.-N./. Tablet.