THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 137, 17 December 1875, Page 13

THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND.

I r. | In tho Catholic 'Record' for the current month, -we find a very interesting article from the pen of Professor P. Mulrenin, on the Catholic University of Ireland, in which he portrays the evils effected through Trinity College education, on the Catholic yoiith ot Ireland. The writer says :— " The benefits of Trinity College are enjoyed "by Episcopalian Protestants, who scarcely number one tenth of the population. It stands on the confiscated grounds of the Augustinian Monastery of All Hallows, founded in 11GG by King Deimond (MacMorough) of Leinster. It has been, since its foundation, a promoter of discord, a bulwark of Protestant ascendancy, a stronghold of bigotry and intolerance, and a nursery of the petty tyrants who robbed and plundered the people. No Catholic can even still share its emoluments without running the risk of losing his faith. The number of those who became apostates in Trinity College can never be known till the last trumpet sounds. When Catholics were first admitted to study in the University in 1873, it was gravely deliberated in the family circle of Moore, the Irish poet, whether he ought not to be entered as a Protestant. The worthy parents of the poet gave no countenance to the proposal, and rebuked those who suggested the idea. Had Moore entered Trinity as a Protestant, his immortal melodies would have been lost to Ireland, for apostacy kills genius as well as patriotism. Trinity College is the richest and most amply endowed university in the world. It possesses landed property to the extent of 20,000 acres of the best soil of Ireland, and tbe annual value of this property— the confiscated grounds of Catholics is said to be 500,000d015. In addition to its landed property, it has an annual endowment of 320,000d015. Truly, the Irish education question is no mere sentimental grievance. The fact that Irish Catholics have already contributed 800,000dols. for its maintenance, is a proof that they are determined to patronise no system of education, university, intermediate, or primary, which is not based upon the Catholic religion, and that they are unanimous in their resolution to give their children, at any cost, and at any sacrifice, an opportunity of receiving a pure Catholic education. It must be remembered that, when the Catholic University was established, famine and pestilence had decimated the population. Diirnv the period of its existence, the Catholics of Ireland have devoted" their energies to the noble task of building churches, Jftiools, and convents, and founding colleges, and charitable This fact enhances the sacrifices -which they have made to support and maintain a great intellectual centre for the development of the national genius, and the expression of the national mind. Prescribed by the state, the Catholic University has rendered noble services to Ireland. " Its success under the most discouraging circumstances is tlic wonder of its enemies. Already it has sent 300 medical practitioners to different parts of Ireland, to England, the Colonies, and the United States. Neither England nor Ireland can boast of any school of medicine superior to the medical school of the Catholic University. The professors are the leading physicians of Ireland, and one of them, Dr. Lyons, has Avon a European celebrity. Many students of the Catholic University are at present distinguished ■journalists in Ireland, England, and America, and it is necessary to add that, if they are true to their Alma Mater, their influence for 'rood cannot be overrated. They can proclaim before earth and hi«rh heaven the infamy of tho anti-Irish and anti-Catholic government which still curses five millions of Catholics with a living remnant of the penal code, to embitter the recollection of what has been ' abolished. Who could believe that the legal position of Catholic education is precisely the same at the present time as it was in 1872, when Irish Catholics for the first time during a century were allowed to teach school ? A remnant of the penal code still forbids " the erection or endowment of any popish university or colle"-e "in Ireland. The forty-seven colleges and high schools, which have been erected in Ireland since 17'J-, cuinc within this

prohibition. Maynooth is the only exception. The existence of the Catholic University is a direct violation of an express clause of that relief act which has made it possible to have Catholic judges. It is not probable, however, that the penalty of transportation or death will be inflicted upon any of the professors. Though the spirit that inspired the penal legislation of other times still lives, the friends of Catholic education are daily winning new victories. " The Catholic University is the best hope of Catholic Ireland. Its cause is the cause of truth, and no matter how often, or how long truth may be vanquished, her final triumph is certain." Magnaeb vertices, el 2)revaleh'd .