BISHOP DOUPANLOUP ON IRELAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VI, Issue 300, 31 January 1879, Page 9

BISHOP DOUPANLOUP ON IRELAND.

" Be it well understood, there is in the heart and bosom of a priest and a bishop something more than in the figures of science. In the account of battles let others be for the victorious and triumphant ; I am whole and entire for the wounded and dying. My place, allow me to say, is at the ambulance. Neither do laurels console me for the loss of blood shed in the battle-field, nor do reasonings reconcile me to the cries of hunger and despair. I see those who are banished — I bear the cry of those that are outraged — I gather the tears — I stretch out my hand to the poor and desolate. lam not a meant, an economist ;lam a minister of Jesus Christ. Leave me entirely to my ministry, and, if I shock your theories, be not scandalised by my compassions. You shall reason to-morrow ; but men suffer, men weep, men hunger, men are dying. To-day I even hold forth my hand to those who reason for those who weep. I do not blame science, but I feel pity. Science, I shall leave thee to theorise ; but leave me to act, to speak, to intercede for those who suffer ; leave me to infuse into the hearts of all, in favour of Ireland, pity, tender compassion, active charity, which alone can excel and assure thy blessings. Allow me to send to Ireland, if not the millions which are not in my hands, at least the sympathies, the tendernesses which every Christian heart feels for this unfortunate land. Yes, dear Ireland — noble Catholic soil — old land of saints, country rich in virtues and in sorrows — native land of faith, of honour, of courage — I am happy to say it of thee, the world regards thee with respect and love. It wails in thy misfortunes; it admires thy constancy ; you hold as your own every noble heart. Ah ! poor and imfortunate country ! for theo I can do nothing ; but at least I can say that thy name makes my heart beat with an ineffable emotion. Thou art nigh as dear to me as mj r native land. Ah ! would that my accents could cross the sea and reach thee, not only thee, but all thy children in every land where exile may have rluug them, in the forests of Australia, or at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, lands of the mighty ocean, to tell them all my love, to bring them a consolation and an encouragement, and, at the same time, a hope. Yes, gentlemen, a hope ! and by this word I wish to console your hearts also, that I have saddened so niucii. Yes, I hope a future more favourable for Ireland : and already do I think I see in the distant horizon signs that portend better times and prophesy a deliverance." — From his Lordship's Sermon, for the poor Catholics of Ireland, preached March 25th, 1861.