CHARGES AGAINST THE CATHOLIC CLERGY IN QUEENSLAND.

Evening Star, Issue 5964, 24 April 1882, Page 2

CHARGES AGAINST THE CATHOLIC CLERGY IN QUEENSLAND.

A public meeting of the Irish Catholic laity was, according to the • Daily Northern Argus' held at Rockhampton on the 30th ult, to protest against certain charges which had been levelled against the late Bishop O'Ouinn and the Irish Catholic clergy of Quocnsland. It appeared that the charges referred to were as follows: 1. That the persecution to which Italian priests are subicct bv the Irish priests is so great as to be simply incredible. 2. That they allow the sin of simony to permeate all priestly func-

tions, offering everything sacred, even the seven sacraments, for sale. 3. That the Bishop of Brisbane and his Irish priests are so given up to drunkenness that they are often in a state of delirium tremens. " During the discussion it was stated that this indictment had been submitted to the Propaganda at Rome, and had been partially sustained by that body. Notwithstanding this fact, a resolution was passed to the effect that—- " In the opinion of this meeting the charges made against the late Bishop O'Quinn and the Irish clergy of Queensland are false." An amendment, asserting that the tribunal of tho Roman Catholic Church, having tried theßc charges, had found them part true boing rejected, Dr Cani, tho present bishop, was charged by several speakers with having kept the charges against Bishop O'Quinn concealed in his pocket for over two years. Ultimately it was moved byMrHourigan "That the Catholics of Rockhampton are entitled to receive from the Right Kev. Dr Cani satisfactory proof that he did not conceal from his late bishop and fellowpriests for about two and a-half years the fact that such charges had been made." Mr Hourigan's motion was subsequently carried, as also another to the effect that a cablegram be sent to Rome setting forth all the circumstances of the case, and praying for a thorough investigation.