IRISH NEWS

New Zealand Tablet, 27 June 1918, Page 35

IRISH NEWS

GENERAL. Bishop Hallinan protests in the press against the programme of a Limerick cinema house, in which pictures of his consecration are wedged in between others with sensational titles. A bishop’s consecration is one of the most solemn and sublime functions of the Catholic Church, he writes, and “anything better calculated to lower the religious and moral tone of the spectators than this combination of piety with profanity, of sublimity with vulgarity, it is imagine.”

British power in Ireland still rests on coercion and brute force. When it ceases to do so it may claim to be in accord with the "consent of the governed"— that final test of all tyranny. The latest exhibition of how liberty fares in Ireland is given by the closing down of St. Mary's Hall, Belfast, a meeting place for all and sundry of the Catholics and Nationalists of the city (says an exchange). But it is only in Belgium or Poland ,under the Prussian, that liberty is assailed ! In Ireland need we say more Most Rev. Dr, Morrisroe has just celebrated the silver jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood. He was ordained in the Cathedral, Ballaghaderreen, in 1893, and served as professor in the seminary there and as curate at Bumiinadden before his appointment to the deanship at Maynooth, which office he held, on his elevation to the Episcopacy in 1911. His Lordship has received congratulations from his flock and from friends among the bishops, priesthood, and laity in other parts of Ireland, many of them coming from former students who enjoyed his kindly guidance and gracious influence in the west or at Maynooth. In the recently published work (in French) on the "Life, Doctrine, and Disciples of the Blessed John Duns Scotus," from the pen of Father Alexander Bertoni, Secretary-General of the Order of Friars Minor, a notable decision has been come to. After a careful examination of the several opinions regarding the birthplace of the Doctor Subtilis, Father "Bertoni decides in favor of his Irish nationality. The author gives a list of the principal commentators and followers of the doctrine of Scotus. Many Irish authors are among them, and their number clearly indicates, according to Father Bertoni, a tradition in Ireland as to the birthplace of Scotus. Colonel Joseph Cowen, Stella Hall, Blaydon-on-Tyne, has issued a statement, influentially signed, which it is propesed to present to the Prime Minister on the subject of an enduring memorial to the late Mr. John Redmond. Colonel Cowen says: "No finer tribute could be paid to the memory of this great Irishman than to erect a lasting settlement of the Irish question on the ashes of the old feuds and prejudices. The need to do so is urgent and extreme. Throughout Great Britain and the Colonies, from one end ol the United States of America to the other, the voices of democratic peoples are demanding the application of generous and statesmanlike measures to the country whose cup of bitterness has been filled to overflowing." A revered churchman is lost to Ulster in Mgr McGlynn, P.P., V.G., Dean of Raphoe. who died at Stranorlar on Sunday morning, April 14. Ordained m 11 1865 ' and ministering alternately in Inniskeel, Killymard, and Upper Templecrone, going to Stranorlar 28 years ago, Mgr. McGlynn earned love and respect m all his charges by both his priestly piety and his staunch patriotism. He played a noble part in the land struggle, and, with his parishioners, succeeded in smashing the star chamber in Dungloe. In 187980 he did more than a man's part in fighting famineand throughout Ireland he will be remembered as a prominent figure at conventions. At his golden jubilee a few years ago the dean declined a preferred presentation, and his parishioners commemorated the event by placing.two splendid stained-glass windows in St Mary's Church, Stranorlar.

-"' : :■■■.■ The obsequies of Most Rev. Dr. Healy took place on March 27 in the Cathedral, Tuam. His Eminence Cardinal Logue presided at the Requiem celebrated by Most Rev. Dr. Higgins, Apostolic Administrator, other prelates present being the Lord Bishops of Killaloe, Ardagh, Clogher, Clonfert, Elphin, Achonry, Killala, Meath, and Dromore'.' The chief mourners, were Rev. Mark Hannon, C.C., Tuam (nephew), Misses Hannon (sisters), and a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins. The Canons of the Tuam Chapter a vast body of Irish clergy, Lord Clonbrock, Sir Henry Grattan Bellew, Bart., and many of the town and county officials were present. The Final Absolution was pronounced by Cardinal Logue, and the dead prelate's remains were interred between the resting-places of his predecessors, Drs. McHale and McEvilly. By the unexpected death recently," at his residence, Castlebar, of the Most Rev. Dr, Higgins, titular Bishop of Temno and Auxiliary to the late Most Rev Dr. Healy since 1912, the Archdiocese of Tuam has been doubly widowed. Both prelates died within a period of five weeks. The high reputation which Dr. Higgins acquired in Maynooth he well maintained as a curate, a parish priest, and a bishop. It was mainfest from his work during Dr. Healy long illness that lie was a most capable administrator, and as an educationist his services were specially valuable. The funeral of the late Most Rev. Dr. Higgins took place at Castlebar, following a Requiem Mass, of which the Most Rev. Dr. Gilmarhn was celebrant. Three other bishops and over 100 .clergy were present.

ASQUITII'S TRIBUTE TO REDMOND. Mr. Asquith, at Derby, paid a tribute to the memory of Mr. Redmond. He said: No one can speak with greater intimacy of knowledge or greater sincerity and honesty, for I saw that however complicated and varied the unfoldings of the parliamentary or political situation were, Mr. Redmond was a man among all politicians, whom I would place second to none' not only for tenacity of purpose, not only for honesty of conviction, not only in devotion, not rhetorical and superficial devotion, .but rich and heartfelt devotion, to a great cause. In addition to that he was a man whom m every variety of circumstances you could implicitly and loyally trust.

THE MAN-POWER OF IRELAND. The most important Liberal journals and some Unionist press organs have raised their voices in strong protest against an attempt to force conscription on Ire” land after what has happened during the war. The Dailt/ A civs, Daily Chronicle, Manchester Guardian, Liverpool Daily Dost and Mercury, and other papers, have dwelt on the danger and expressed the conviction, based on information received from correspondents, that in Ireland’s present mood, brought about by irritation and disappointments, the application of conscription would, in the language of the Dublin Corporation, be resisted violently in every town and village, and would establish an Irish battlefront which would not be an advantage to the Allies. But it should not be forgotten that until Mr. Redmond and the Irish party found their efforts in connection with recruiting thwarted at every turn the number of voluntary Irish enlistments was, comparatively speaking, very large, and that the Irish soldiers have played an important part in the great struggle. Moreover, it should be borne in mind that Ireland’s capacity to keep up food supplies for the population of Great Britain—a matter of vital interest—would be gravely affected by the enforcement of compulsory military service. How hard pressed the Irish farmers now are for workers is evident from the advertising columns of the Irish press. In some districts their difficulties are extreme.