LEO XIII. AND IRELAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VI, Issue 272, 19 July 1878, Page 16

LEO XIII. AND IRELAND.

His Eminence Cardinal Cullen and Monsignor Kirby Rector of the Irish College, were received by His Holiness in private audience on the Ist of April. Cardinal Cullen presented the Holy Father on that occasion six addresses from Ireland— the first from the Clergy of Dublin, the second from the Catholic University of Ireland the third from the Bishop, Clergy, and faithful of the Diocese of Ossory, the fourth from the Archbishop of Cashel and the Bishops from the province of Cashel, the fifth from the Bishop, Clergy, and faithful of i ems ; and the sixth from the Corporation of the City of Limerick These addresses were presented to the Holy Father separately, with a few words of explanation from the Cardinal. The following letter from his Eminence to the Bishop of Limerick, written the day following, and which has just been published, will be read with interest. It shows that Leo XIII. has the same unbounded affection for Ireland that Pius IX. had :

Irish College, Rome, April 2nd, 1878. My Lord,— l had the honour of presenting at the Vatican, to Ins Holmes?, the beautiful address to him from the Corporation of Limerick which your lordship forwarded. His Holiness received it most graciously, and admired it very much. He commissioned me to thank in his name the Mayor and all the members of the Corporation for this proof of their kindness, and for their good wishes that be may have a long and glorious career in the Chair of Peter. His Holiness is well acquainted with the stale of Ireland, and it was not necessary to inform him of the old and glorious traditions of Limerick, and of the veneration and love which it has always entertained for the Holy See, as he is familiar with its history, having referred in a most feeling manner to the faith and good works of that ancient city He desires me to say he sends his Apostolic Benediction to the Mayor anu all the members of the Corporation, also to their families and friends, together with his best wishes for their spiritual and temporal welfare. As for your lordship, he told me to assure you of his great regard and sincere affection for you and your excellent Clergy, and of his desire to co-operate with you as far as possible in promoting all your undertakings for the honour and glory of God and the salvation of souls. In conclusion, allow me to add that it is impossible to describe the kindness and affection of his Holiness. He is a worthy successor of the great and glorious Pius the Ninth, and he is quite determined to walk in his footsteps. Wishing your lordship every happiness, I remain yours faithfully, Paul Cardinal Collen. Most Rev. Dr. Butler, Lord Bishop of Limerick.