THE IRISH CLERGY: DE VALERA'S TRIBUTE.

New Zealand Tablet, 19 June 1919, Page 13

THE IRISH CLERGY: DE VALERA'S TRIBUTE.

The following tribute to the Irish clergy occurs iri "Letters from Ireland and from Lincoln Gaol, England," by the Irish leader, Professor Eamon De Valera:[Jit; is part of an interview given to an American press representative: = r Clerical domination 1~. How little they think who use that phrase of what a tremendous tribute it is to the Irish priests. What is the secret of the priests' influence with the people? It is nothing,but the recognition by the people of a truth that in Ireland the priests have been what ministers of religion should be everywhere, the fathers and guides of their flocks. In Ireland the priests have always stood beside the people, comforting, ■ encouraging, and helping them in the dark days— safest, most unselfish, often their only leaders. Let the Protestant minister by similar deeds, secure similar influence over his people, no Catholice will seek to diminish it. Would you deprive a minister of religion, because, he is such, of his rights as a citizen, and of his influence as a man, an educated man, a good man? Would you rob him of the secular influence that traditional service has merited for his cloth ? Finally, should we not be honest with ourselves and recognise that if religion is not a mere pretence with us, it is the most important thing in life, and should influence our every action ? It is not'something to be put outside the back door whenever we choose. A minister of religion, then, if he is "at all a worthy one, is entitled to special regard as such, and his advice has a special value even in what might be considered very mundane affairs.