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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5427, 17 January 1889, Page 2

Fbom " Occasional Notes" in the Belfast. Northern Whig wo take the following :— "Tho latest announcement from tho Vatican regarding Ireland is certain to have a disquieting effect upon the Nationalist party. Instructions have been sent to tho Irish Catholic bishops forbidding the priests from delivering political speeches. Under these circumstances tho lecturing tour about to bo undertaken by Rev. J. M'Fadden, of Gwodore, is nipped in the bud. The Rome correspondent of the Daily Chronicle supplies some interesting details of tho Pope's brief in connection with this matter. His Holiness regrets that the original brief has not been promulgated in several parishes in Ireland, and that, notwithstanding the prohibition made reoeutly, meetings of a revolutionary character have been countenanced by priests. The Catholic bishops are again commanded to order tho cessation of such abuses, and to prohibit the clergy from participating in tho Nationalist agitation in any way. Tho Vatican, it is stated, is neutral on the question of Homo Rule, and quito content to leave its solution in the hands of the English Government. Throughout the controversy the Popo has »ctcd consistently, and it remains to bo seen how the Roman Catholic clergymen throughout Ireland will receive these instructions. Their interference and meddling with political affairs havo already produced mischievous results, and on the heads of the more active of the priests drawn down punishment more or less severe. Fear of losing their influence has perhaps induced many to become active propagandists of the Homo Rule creed. After the Pope's latest injunction, however, they should show themselves to be models of obedience to tho Vatican's commands, to which in all other matters they profess respect nnd reverence."