"CLERICAL DICTATION."

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 18, 19 February 1892, Page 25

"CLERICAL DICTATION."

(By W. 8. Burkb, in the Dublin Evening JPrets.)

Clerical influence has been, is now, and will continue to be a powerful factor in the struggle for nationality. From the earliest dawn of Christianity in Ireland the faithful clergy not only attended to the spiritual necessities of their flocks, but invariably acted as champions of the people against oppression. The pages of Irish history abound in examples of heroic devotion on the part of the clergy, and, let me add, that tradition has done more for the memory of these among the unlettered peasantry than is generally known. Is not Columbkille a name to conjure with to-day as it was thirteen centuries ago, while the exiled saint still lived io the famous monastery of lona ? The occasion of, St. Columbkille's last visit to his native land is remarkable, Briefly put, it was for the purpose of securing Home Rule for the Gaelic colony in Scotland. At the celebrated Convention of Drumceat, held under Hugh 11, A.D. 573, the holy dove of the cell had his eyes bandaged, that he might keep his vow never to look upon the land of Erin — pleaded the cause of the weak, and ultimately oDtained a recognition of their claim to be independent; A faithful friend of freedom, truly. The next name that comes prominently under notice — passing over many, however — ia that of Cormac, toe renowned bishop-king of storied Caahel. In the ninth century Cormac ruled over his people with the benignant sway of a Charlemagne, combining the functions of monarch and pastor with wonderful succeeß, and leaving behind him a reputation for justice and love of country which will outlive many generations yet unborn. In tbe twelth century all was confusion in Ireland. St. Malachi, tbe primate, made colossal efforts to restore order and promote peace in bis distracted country, dying in a foreign land while engagad in an embassy to Borne on behalf of his unfortunate people. On the 15th of November the city and diocese of Dublin celebrated the feast of their patron, St. Laurence O'Toole, whose incessant labours for fatherland ended only with bis life at Ku, in Normandy, 1180.

It is not too much to say that had St. Laurence's warnings been heeded, had Erin's kings and chieftains buried their petty enmities and faced the common foe, the Saxon would never have secured a foothold on this side of the Channel. In 1315, the year after Bannockburn, Edward Bruce landed in Ireland, and there ensued what has justly been described as " the first national war undertaken against the English power in Ireland." In tbe following year when Bruce had routed the English on many a bloody field, he wa# crowned at Dundalk. During tbe intervening centuries, down to the present day, every open effort of right against might in Ireland has secured the close adhesion, the cordial co-operation, and the practical snpport of the Roman Catholic priesthood. In Elizabeth's reign was established the famous " Gerald ine League "of 1579. Pope Gregory XIII fitted out an expedition in aid of the Irieb, under tbe command of James, Earl of Desmond. In connection with this hsiardoui

enterprise, two Irish ecclesiastics suffered torture and death rather thanjgetray their country. Dr O. Haly, Bishop of Mayo, and Father Cornelius O'Rorke were arrested when they landed in Dingle from Spain ; and, refusing to give any information in relation to the Papal expedition, ' ' they were put to every conceivable torture," The historian tells us, "in order to extract intelligence of Fitzmaurice's movements. 1 ' All ia vain. The coble pair preferred death to dishonour ; their thighs were broken with hammers, after which they were hanged, and their bodies used as targets by the soldiers. In 1580 Oloby O'Boyle, Abbot of Boyle, and Owen O'Mulkeran, Abbot of the monastery of Holy Trinity, were executed by Lord Grey. In 1584 Archbishop O'Hurley was croelly tortured, and executed in St. Stephen's Green, Dublin. Later on — in 1602— when the Spanish army, nnder Don Juan D'Aquilla, capitulated at Kinsale, O'Sullivan Beara held ont in Dunbay. In the month of June two Irish envoys landed at Kanmare with money, arms, and ammunition from King Philip of Spain, to whom O'Donnell had hastened for the purpose of securing reinforcements. Tbe emissaries were Dr. M'Egan, Bishop of Ross, and Father Nealon. Thi former were killed soon afterwardß near Bandon, fighting sword ia hand, for the liberty of Ireland. In 1611 the Bishop of Down and Connor and Father O'Luorchain were put to death in Dublin.

In the war againßt the Puritans (1643) Heber M'Mahon, the brave Bishop of Clogher, was one of the most active leaders in the North. He was put to death at Omagh, 1650, after the disastrous battle of Scarifhollis. The Irish priests were strong en evidence. On the 22nd of March, 1642, a Provincial Synod wai held at Kells, at which the assembled Bishops solemnly approved of The War for Faith and Fatherland. The Synod called together the National Synod, which met at Kilkenny on the 10th May. Here a proclamation was drawn up, calling the people to arms, and trusty agents were despatched to the Continent to secure the service of Irish officers holaing commands in the various kingdoms of Europe. The Synod fixed the 23rd of October for the convocation of the general assembly at Kilkenny. At this notable gathering no less than eleven Irish Bishops attended. A supreme council was elected, including five Roman Catholic dignitarieB — Tbe Archbishops of Armagh, Dublin, and Tuam, and the Bishops of Down and of Clonfert. For three years this council practically governed Ireland, and if the ultimate outcome of Owen Roe O'Neill's gallant struggle was not a complete success, it was no fault of the Irish bishops and priesthood. The venerable Archbishop of Tuam was killed in an encounter with the freebooters, and there are many other instances in which priests took an active part in the campaign. Dr Fleming, Archbishop of Dublin, and Dr Walsh, Archbishop of Cashel, are mentioned among those wbo received the Papal Legate, Cardinal Rinuccini, who had been sent by the Pope to aid the Irish in their struggle. The glorious tidingß of Benburb's victory was carried to Limerick by Father Hartigan, one of the army chaplains ; and the thanksgiving service was attended by the Nuncio, the Archbishop of Caehel, and the Bishops of Limerick, Clonfert, and Ardfert.

At the massacre of Cashel, 1646, Lord Incbiquin ordered to be put to death twenty priests who were found with their flock in the Cathedral. At Ireton's siege of Limerick, 1651, Dr O'Brien, Bishop of Bmly, and Father Wolfe were butchered in cold blood.

It is only necessary here to touch lightly on the terrible tragedy of Tyburn, July Ist, 1681. On that day Oliver Plunkett, the sainted and patriotic Primate of Ireland, was dragged on a hurdle through the Btreets of London, hanged on the common gibbet at Tyburn, afterwards beheaded, quartered, and disembowelled — for no better reason than the hatred of the " mere Irish," of whom he was a loyal and devoted chief pastor. During the gallaat but hopeless struggle of '98, at least four Irish priests cheerfully sacrificed their lives on the altar of liberty. These were Fathers John and Michael Murphy, Father Clinch and Father Roche.

This is but a bald summary — necessarily restricted and obviously incomplete— of the Irish clergy who struggled, suffered, and died for their country, but it is an ample justification of the position now occupied by their successors. From St. Malachi and St. Laurence O'Toole, dyiDg in exile as they were forwarding the Irieh cause beyond the seas, to Father Murphy of Wexford, butchered and eaten by British cannibals, the pages of Irish history are sprinkled with the blood of our heroic priesthood. Nor did their devotion cease with the reign of terror which reached a climax in '98. Since the Union they have done much to checkmate the Machiavellian methods of alien rnle in Ireland.

In the preßent century, during which the sword has given way to the voice and pen, the example of clerical devotion to the Irish cause are co numerous that details are out of the question, and selection would be invidioua. From John of Tuam and Dr Doyle (J.K.L.), down to the humblest curate who haa been condemned to the plank bed for " dictating " term 9to ferocious landlordism, there is a brave and brilliant array of Irish priests who have worked and suffered for their flocka. During the past dozen years the generous people have been called on, over and over, to come to the relief of their sorely afflicted brethren, writhing under the lash of oppression. Look over the long list of subscriptions, and

foremost in every parish throughout the land you will fled the names of the faithful priests. Not only did they organise the oolleotioni but ont of their own scanty resources they contributed unstintedly to the funds. Thus it has b«en in the past, thus it is to-day, and so it it will be in the time to come— the influence, the legitimate and well-earned influence of the Irish clergy will always be oast into tha balance on the side of justice and charity. They are asked to drive from political lift the men who have been among the most unselfish of Ireland's sons. This they decline to do at the bidding of a handful of fireside hillsiders, men whose tongues wag glibly of liberty, but whose aotioni are those of tyrants. "No priests in politics." Let us see what this would mean here in Ireland. A priest tees his parishioners driven to bay ; barrassed, prosecuted, evicted, desperate. His knowledge of human nature and his experience of the past warn him of the consequences. The homeless peasant, with the hot Celtic blood in his veins, broods on his wrongs, and the priest sees crime and bloodshed looming near. He speaks to the victim of landlord tyranny, advises him to b« calm and patient, and so forth ; but there his good offices must end. He cannot say to the wratched man who starves by the road side, " Be of good cheer, you will not be deserted. We will appeal to our countrymen at home and abroad to save you from misery. We will try conclusions with your rapacions landlord. We will unite, we will defy him, but yon mult be crimelejs," This would be politics, this would bi "olerica dictation " ; and so the poor priest must look on silently with folded arms, while Ireland, or her 9ons— perhaps his own kith and kin — are persecuted. Much more might be said on this subject, but logic ia lost on the anti-clerical cohorts.