THE IRISH MARTYRS.

New Zealand Tablet, 26 December 1918, Page 27

THE IRISH MARTYRS.

At a recent meeting of the Irish Hierarchy at which his Eminence Cardinal Logue presided, the following statement was adopted by their Lordships: The Bishops have fixed Septuagesima Sunday February 16 of next year for a general' collection throughout Ireland (except where other arrangements have already; been made) to defray the expenses of the ceremony of Beatification of the Venerable Oliver Plunket and. Apostolic process on behalf of the Irish martyrs, servants of God, whose causes are under consideration in the Process No. 258, including Primates, Archbishops, Bishops, priests, secular and regular, and men and young women from practically every diocese in Ireland. Each of these causes will be subjected to most thorough and critical investigation. Evidence will be extremely voluminous, more especially in the causes of those reputed martyrs who bore a prominent part in the public life of Ireland. Many, thousands* of documents and not a few large volumes of print will have to be transcribed from a great number of libraries and archives through Europe. The cost of paper alone, with the salaries of transcribers, will amount to a large annual figure. In the course of last year 37,000 folio pages, were written by notaries and transcribers, employed in the press. Expert scholars will have to be sent in rpiest of evidence and documents to many of the great libraries of England aud the Continent. Travelling and other necessary expenses of these. scholars - must naturally be paid as well as the expenses of a numerous staff of scholars, translators, notaries, and officials engaged in the arduous work of process at home.

Printing and postage will also involve heavy outlay. It is estimated that not less than £IO,OOO will be required to cover all expenses. The final result will be a vast monument of historical research, which will redound to the glory of the Irish Church and be of abiding interest and value for our diocesan national history, as well as for the history of the Irish martyrs. Already as a result of these researches the names of a number of servants of God of whose death for the Faith no historical record was previously known to exist have come to light. The Bishops, therefore, appeal with the utmost confidence to the unfailing generosity of the Irish priests and people to furnish the necessary funds for this great religious and national undertaking. A letter will be sent by each Bishop to the clergy and people of his diocese with a view to ordering of details a short time before the date appointed for the collection. His Grace the Archbishop of Dublin, the Bishop of Cloyne, and Father Mclnerney, 0.P., have consented to act as trustees for this fund. It is requested that all contributions and collections be sent to his Grace the Archbishop of Dublin, Archbishop's House, Dublin.