THE BISHOP OF NOTTINGHAM.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 12, 13 July 1888, Page 19

THE BISHOP OF NOTTINGHAM.

Ik an interview between Bishop Bagshawe and a reporter of the Nottingham JSwprest, the following dialogue is reported to hare passed :—: — •• Are there not cases of boycotting whioh will not come under the edict f — There may, perhaps, be cases which would not come within the intention of the Decree. It is not for me to say. " I see it stated in a telegram from Rome published to-day that ' the Pope is more than ever resolved to limit his interference in Irish affairs to religious questions.' Do you consider he has anj right to interfere with Irish political affairs I— He has already declared, anil the bishops have accepted his judgment that in all political movements directly afrceting the interests of the Church, he has the right to direct them. He said nothing as to political affairs in any other sense that I am aware of. " But is not his present decree an interference with political affairs I—No.1 — No. He has simply declared such and such proceedings to be unlawful. There must be some judgment as to lawfulness and unlawfulness, and the decision of the Pope, which is the highest that can possibly be pronounced, ought to be followed by all faithful Oaiholic9. The Tribunal of the Inquisition, I admit, is not infallible. Its decision, however much to be followed, is not the pronouncement of the Pope in his character of universal aad infallible teacher. Nevertheless, obedierce is due to its decision from all Catholics. "As you have said that the Plan of Campaign and boycotting foim no part of the programme of the National League, I suppose you do not hold that the edict means the extinction of the League ?— I certainly do not, for it has nothing to do with the League. "And you do not think that it will at all affect the main work of the League I—l do not think it will."