Correspondence.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 11, 8 July 1887, Page 11

Correspondence.

[We aio not responsible for the opinions expressed by our Correspondents.] ♦ THE LONDON TABLET AND THE ENGLISH ' CATHOLICS. TO THE EDITOR N.Z. TABLET. 818, — Will you kindly allow me to say a few words on the controversy now going on between youi correspondents "J. K." and " P. 0. T." on a question in which we are all more or less interested, but which, I am afraid, will not be settled at this side of the Millennium. Still, although we may not hope to settle it, we should not on that account neglect to seek for clearer views upon it. It appears that "J.K." wrote to you on June 17, taking exception to some remarks made by you on the English priesthood and their Irish flocks. To this letter " P. 0. T." replied the following week in a way that did not apparently suit " J. X.," for he has in last week's Tablet another letter in defence of his first contention. It appears to me that English and Irish Catholics in these colonies are quarrelling on questions which, if properly stated, neither side would dispute, and it is to be deplored that those who kneel at the same altar and partake of the same Sacraments should not be able to entertain more kindly feelings towards each other. Whoever brings about, even in a slight way, a better understanding between the two races will accomplish a great work of charity. That there are many excellent English priests who never allow political feelings to prevent them from doing their duty as priests to their Irish flocks, no one ever questions for a moment. To those men every sinner is stamped with the image of his Maker and that consideration swallows up all others. But that there are also very many priests whose actions are not governed by those high motives, even "J. K." will not deny. There are many Father Anguses in England and elsewhere who do not dißguise their feelings towards Ireland and her children. These men draw their inspiration from the London Tablet, which has latterly been pursuing a course of the most undisguised hostility towards the cause of Ireland. That paper has condemned the Plan of Campaign, it has condemned the Land League, it has condemned every effort by which the Irish leaders have tried to wring justice from England, while it has only words of praise for Lord Salisbury, and Mr. Balfour, and Edwin de Lisle, et hoc genus omne. Now, if "J. K." doubts that this paper is the exponent of English Catholic opinion, let him open it at page 416, in the issue for March 12, 1887, and he will see the following words, written by an English priest, on the Irish question :—": — " You, sir, have with great care and sagacity discerned and expressed the view most prevalent amongst English Catholics. So far as my experience goes most English Catholicß agree with you, at least in principle," This, then, is conclusive. The Tablet professes to be, and probably is, the leading representative Catholic paper in England, and hence a large number of English Catholics, clerical and lay, who draw their politics from its teachings, are bitterly opposed to Irish nationality. How could they favour Mr. Gladstone's Home Rule Bill when the Tablet opposed it f How could they condemn Mr. Balfour's Crimes Bill when the Tablet approves of it? The Tablet is the avowed and admitted enemy of the Irish cause, and the Tablet is the accepted exponent of English Catholic opinion. Seeing that this ia the case, we may reasonably conclude that that paper is responsible for a great deal of the ill-feeling which at present exists between English and Irish Catholics, and which will only die out when there is an Irish Parliament in College Green. I have not settled the difference between " J.K," and "P. C. T." I have only tried to throw a clearer light upon it. — I am, etc., X. Christchurch, July 4, 1887.