THE POPE AND IRELAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 20, 5 September 1884, Page 31

THE POPE AND IRELAND.

A Pakis correspondent of the Dublin Freeman writes as follows : — The Most Rev. Dr. O'Farrell, Bishop of Trenton, in the United States of America, on his return from a visit to Borne, stopped for a short time in Paris. He visited the Irish College of that city, and was requested by the Very. Rev. President to distribute the prizes to the ecclesiastical students at the close of their scholastic year. • The Very Rev. President introduced with very kind terms Dr. O'Farrell to the students as the first bishop of the See of Trenton, and remarked that the name of the bishop was sufficient to show the race to which he belonged, and to prove how the Catholic faith was being carried throughout the world by the children of Ireland, The Most Rev. Dr. O'Farrell, after distributing the prises, addreesed some heartfelt words to the students upon the greatness of their mission as the future priests of the Church in Ireland. He advised them to love their people, the most faithful in the world to the Church. He hoped that as in the past the Irish priests and people always clung together, and had never been divided, so in the future that union should ever continue. The bishop then referred to the audience which he lately had with Pope Leo XIII., and, after observing the exceeding kindness of the Pope, he said that he remarked to 'the Holy Father that everywhere, both in America and Ireland, the Irish race were faithful and devoted to the Church. " When the Irish people," he said to the Pope, " believe that your Holiness speaks to them of yourself they will most cheerfully submit to your direction and guidance. But when they belieTe that any external influence has been brought to bear upon you in opposition to the claims and rights of Ireland, then, indeed, it would be a severe trial to their faith and their love." " But how," said the Pope," " could they imagine that the English Government could influence Rome against the interest of Ireland ? The Pope knows that Ireland has her just claims, and she is right to assert them. I love Ireland dearly, and through that affection I lately appointed Dr. Moran as Archbishop gf Sydney as a favour to the Irish Catholics." The bishop replied that everywhere in America this action of His Holiness was so interpreted, and be then added :— " We bishops and priests know very well that your Holiness is indeed most favour* ably disposed towards Ireland, but it was very natural that h people so long oppressed and only now emerging from the hard laws of previous centuries should leel suspicious of men who, having no love for them, and belonging to the cfass that sad experience had convinced them were no friends of Ireland, now endeavoured to enlist Rome against them to prevent them from seeking their just rights." With great kindness the Pope replied that he never could be swayed against the interests of Ireland. " Ab, Holy Father," said the bishop, "if I could only make known to the Irish people those sentiments of your Holiness it would give great joy to our people, and strengthen them in their efforts to obtain justice." " Tell them," he replied, " both in Ireland and in America, that the Pope loves Ireland and wishes to see her obtain her rights." The remarks of the bishop were received with great acclamations by the Btudeuts, who rejoiced to learn the love which Pope Leo feels for this country.