RISING IN IRELAND.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 202, 8 June 1933, Page 5

RISING IN IRELAND.

THE TROUBLE OF 1916.

LATE POPE’S ATTITUDE. LONDON, May 27. How the late Pope Benedict gave a blessing to those involved in the- 1916 rising in Ireland before it broke out is revealed to-day, says the Dublin correspondent of “The Times.” Count George Plunkett, whose son was executed during the rebellion, writing in Mr do Valera’s newspaper, .“The Irish Press,” says:

“When the rising was arranged the Irish Volunteers’ Executive, acting as the provisional Government of the ■lrish Republic, sent me as an official envoy to the Vatican, Pope Benedict received me privately, and for two hours discussed fully the coming struggle for independence. The Pope was much moved when I disclosed that the date of the rising had been fixed and the reasons for it. Finally, I stated that the executive pledged the Republic’s fidelity to the Holy bee and the interests, of religion.

“Thereupon the Pope conferred the Apostolic benediction on the men facing death for Ireland’s liberty.” A Papal spokesman, questioned as tu the authenticity of the statement by Count Phfhkett, replied that tho words attributed to the late Pope rested only on the authority of Count Plunkett. Tho late Pope could not speak from the grave and records were not kept of his private conversations. j n any case a fundamental tenet of the Roman Catholic Church, he said, was thaf Catholics must he loyal and faithful to any constituted Government.