Hierarchy and Lawlessness

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 15, 19 April 1923, Page 9

Hierarchy and Lawlessness

Campaign of Violence and Destruction Condemned THE PEOPLE'S DUTY TOWARDS THE GOVERNMENT The present campaign against the Government in Ireland is vigorously denounced by members of the Hierarchy in their Lenten Pastorals (says the Free Press, Wexford, for February 17). The duty of the people to support the duly constituted Government is not only inculcated, but solemn warnings are given. to ,those who, directly or indirectly, participate in. the campaign of lawlessness. j Cardinal Logue's Review. His Eminence Cardinal Logue begins his Pastoral Instating that, at the beginning of this Lent, he addresses his flock, probably for the last time, under anxious and depressing circumstances. "For over five years,'' he writes, "the country has been in the throes of a harassing and wasteful conflict, which grew as time went on till it has reached a stage which makes the heart sick under a sense of gloom, almost of despair. At first the struggle was with an authority which ruled Ireland for seven hundred years, often with an iron rod, almost always with a lack of cordial sympathy and enlightened understanding of our wants\ and wishes. During this most recent struggle—the rule of the Black-and-Tans —deeds were done and crimes committed on both sides which neither the law of God nor the law of man could excuse or justify. Whenever these crimes were committed within the bounds of my jurisdiction,, or could be attributed to the people for whom I am responsible—and in the beginning they were very fewl did not fail, when occasion arose, to denounce them, or to counsel peace on every opportunity which offered. For a time we had comparative peace. But now, God help usT the plagues of bloodshed, destruction, pillage, rapine, robbery, even sordid theft, have invaded, at least, a part of the archdiocese, with a virulence which leaves in the shade even the most outrageous excesses of the Black-and-Tans." He goes on to refer to the freedom which Ireland has won, and proceeds: "We can well remember the sigh of relief, the feeling of gratitude, and the glowing vision of a brighter future with which our people hailed that outcome of a long and harassing conflict Every friend of Ireland in Europe and America proclaimed it a triumph. Shortly after the Treaty was signed I was obliged to visit Rome for the funeral of the late Pope and the election •of his successor itow happily reigning. While there I was flooded with congratulations, coming from the highest dignitaries of the Church in several countries, from priests and laymen of Italy, from societies of students and the Association of Italian Youth, on what they termed the victory of Catholic Ireland. Of course I received those testimonies of sympathy with Ireland with gratitude, answering them as warmly as I could ; but with a sinking heart. I could already hear the mutterings of a distant storm. The canker-worm was gnawing at the root of the tree of liberty; and what alarmed me most was lest the curse of many dark and unjustifiable deeds during the previous conflict should blight its foliage and destroy its fruit. The storm has long since burst; and never before, in the world's history, did such a wild and destructive hurricane spring from such a. thin, intangible, unsubstantial vapor. The difference between some equivocal words in an oath; the difference between external and internal connection with the British Commonwealth. This is the only foundation I have ever seen alleged. Men versed in the subtleties of the Schools may understand them; men of good sound, practical commonsense shall hardly succeed. There may be other founda—pride, jealousy, ambition, self-interest, even mere

sentimentality; but, if they exist, they are kept in the background. The result has. been that, in a great part of .the country, a state of things exists such as has been unheard of in the past history of Ireland, except perhaps in the days of the penal laws. But the sufferings of our fathers under the penal laws were very different from the horrors to which we are now subjected. They suffered from the enemies of their country and creed; they suffered for God, for His Church, for their holy religion and its practices; and hence they could bear their sufferings, sharp as they were, with a brave heart, a peaceful conscience, and the glorious hope of a crown hereafter. We suffer from our own people, with little to console us in our trials and the depressing conviction that our country is not likely to emerge for centuries from the depths of devastation and ruin to which she has been reduced. Last October, in their joint . Pastoral, the bishops gave a short summary of the evils with which the country was'then afflicted. In spite of all the misrepresentation and insult with which they have been assailed, not one word in that summary can be contradicted. If that summary were to be written now, what a change for the worse would be found in a few months. It seems as if the powers of darkness were, from day to day inspiring with fresh ingenuity the agents of desti notion. I he torch has been added, to the revolver, the bomb, and the road-mine. Before, in some cities and towns, no peaceful person could go for a walk or to transact business without the danger of being killed or seriously wounded; now no quiet family can, retire to rest without the dread of being called out in the night to fly from an exploded or blazing home. Had these people hearkened to the voice of the bishops in October, and substituted reason, Christian charity and the spirit of concord, how many promising young lives on both sides would have been saved; valuable property, irreplaceable treasures of art and literature would have been saved. We have often heard the saying, ‘ Force is no remedy,’ quoted by politicians. It was all very good to quote against the English; it would be better still if we took it home to ourselves. One circumstance of this orgy of crime and outrage bodes ill for the future of Ireland—the demoralisation of youth. It must strike anyone reading the papers, when there is a question of any fresh outrage— it be an encounter in which life is sacrificed, the throwing of bombs in crowded streets, the blowing up or burning ol houses, holding up and burning of trains, raiding banks, post offices, and private houses— statement is frequently made that the perpetrators are mere boys, generally between sixteen and nineteen. Those who put firearms or lethal weapons into the hands of mere schoolboys, for they are little more, beguiling their youth and inexperience by false principles of patriotism, playing upon the generous spirit of innate Irish devotion and Irish bravery, and sending them to commit crime, have a terrible responsibility to bear before God and man. Even the pagan Greeks regarded the corruption of youth as a crime for which death alone could atone. When their great philosopher, Socrates, was accused, though falsely, of this crime, he was condemned to drink the hemlock which put an end to his brilliant career. Pius X., of holy memory, worked a transformation in the youth of every Catholic country; and in no country is the transformation more conspicuous than in our own. /'“No doubt the young people to (whom I have reerred have felt the life-giving inspiration and have benefited by it; but in their present associations there is no Mass or Sacraments to strengthen them against the weaknesses and perils of youth. The week-ends and the Sundays are generally devoted to exploits which are certainly no aids to salvation, I often open Monday’s paper with fear and anxiety, lest the first”thing my eyes light upon may be some fresh horror. It is falsely alleged that they are deprived of the Sacraments. No one is refused the Sacraments who is duly disposed; and the simplest of them may know from his catechism what the dispositions are. No priest can absolve a penitent who is determined to persist in wrong-doing. If he did, he would co-operate in profanation and sacrilege, rendering his penitent more guilty in the sight of God, and participating himself in the guilt. These young people—inured to bloodshed, violence, rapine, destruction of their neighbor’s property, public and private, in their youth—when they grow up into men, will be very undesirable members of society,” the pastoral con-

tinues. “Of course they may reform; but reform is difficult, when it is opposed by a seared conscience, deep-rooted bad habits, and a perverted judgment of right and wrong. “What is perhaps worse still, a number of young women and girls have become involved in this orgy of violence and destruction, if not as active agents, at least as abettors and fomentors- of strife. Should this fell spirit spread, alas, for the future motherhood of Ireland! We have ever been proud of the women and girls of Ireland; and justly so. Their reputation has been a precious asset of the nation. Their modesty, reserve, innocent and clean lives, and attachment to their holy religion have won sympathy and respect for us in every land through which the children of the Gael have been scattered broadcast. I have little fear, with the help of God’s grace, that that pearl beyond price, their innocence and clean lives and attachment to their holy faith, which is the brightest gem in their crown, shall be ever lost; but what of the other womanly qualities? What of the modesty, reserve, sympathy with suffering, hatred of evil, piety, devotion, 'quiet influence for good, enthusiasm in promoting every work of charity and piety, if they become mixed up with deeds of turbulence and violence?

“In the past the women of Ireland were the mothers of saints; in the present most of the sanctity which still exists among us is inspired, nourished, and maintained by their teaching and example. What a. pity that they should permit that which God gave them for the promotion of good to carry them to excess!”

The Cardinal goes on to say that this lamentable state of things will embitter what little remnant of life it may please God still to leave him; like the drop of gall at the bottom of a cup well-nigh drained. “The little I have been able to do during a long life,” he writes, “shall be found, I fear, much less than it ought to have been, when it is brought to an unerring test a short time hence; but I have always been deeply interested in the welfare, material and spiritual, of Ireland.” Having stated that the havoc wrought by the Black-and-Tans was a mere bagatelle to that which we now find, he adds. — “All this is the work of a comparatively few fanatics. But the great body of the people are, thank God, sound, sane, determined not to yield a jot or tittle of the advantages which they have secured, to support the legitimate Government, which is all that now stands between us and absolute anarchy. At present they are inarticulate, terrorised into silence. They are sighing, we know, and praying for peace as an end of the present terrible confusion. In a short time they shall have an opportunity of giving effect to their views and wishes, in an election based on a franchise the most extensive known to Europe. But to be effective it must be perfectly free; free from violence, from coercion, from unfair devices, from absurd 1 pacts ’ which would make it a selection, not an election. All parties should be free to advocate their principles'in press, on platform, in committees, by peaceful canvass, and by any other means legitimate in a lawful election. The Government shall be expected to keep order and hold the balance fair. We shall thus be able to have the true voice of the people ; and according to the Constitution the voice of the people must be regarded as the voice of God.”

Sorely-Needed Peace.

Most Rev. Dr. Byrne, Archbishop of Dublin, says that in her whole history our own country never stood more in need of prayer than at the present time. The clergy and faithful should knock loudly and persistently at the Gates of Heaven to obtain from the Almighty the peace which our people long for. and need so urgently.

His Grace adds: “Unfortunately, the counsel which the bishops of Ireland, acting in discharge of their office as shepherds of God’s flock, gave their people some months ago has fallen on many unheeding ears. Acts which were declared to be grave sins are still being committed with appalling frequency. The Almighty can turn the heart when all other means have proved unsuccessful. That, in His tender mercy, the Holy Spirit may turn the minds of those misguided ones to thoughts of peace, and breathe into their hearts the spirit of brotherly love and unity, ought to be the object of our most earnest and persevering supplication. The Collects in the Mass and the Litany of Our Blessed Lady will continue to be recited for this purpose.”

Violence Substituted for Constitutional Opposition. Most Rev. Dr. Gilmartin, Archbishop of Tirana, renews his appeal for peace. Me points out the necessity ,in any community for stable government. “No matter,” ire says, “how a Government is set up, once it is a working reality accepted by the great .majority of the people, the common good demands that it be allowed to function pending a constitutional appeal to the people. Applying those principles to the present evils, we shall find an immediate and effective remedy. The majority of the people’s representative accepted what we call the Treaty. As a result of that acceptance a certain form of government has been set up. A minority were opposed to the acceptance of that Treaty. Instead, however, of forming a constitutional exposition they have had recourse to methods of violence which include the destruction of life and property. Taking advantage of the confusion which was bound to ensue from such a. form of opposition, the criminal elements which are latent in every community have come to the surface, with the result that murder, arson, robbery, the destruction of bridges and blocking of roads are of daily occurrence. Now remove the cause, and these evils will soon disappear. For the gun, the revolver, the bomb, and the mine substitute argument. For terrorism substitute an appeal to the dignity and intelligence of the voter. Let the night become a time of rest and the day a time of w r ork. Let all enmity bo laid at the foot of Christ’s Cross. Let those who were hurling deadly missiles at one another combine to hunt down criminals. Let those in power come half way to meet those who may be smarting under grievances, and let the Church try to fling an arch of peace over her divided children.”

Letting Hell Loose.

“We have lived to see the most wretched page in the history of Irish faction,” declares Most Rev. Dr. Fogarty in a spirited appeal for the recognition by all of the national will. “Neither the safety nor the honor of Ireland,” he says, “seems to count with some amongst us; patriotism seems dead; sectional interests and the vile passions of hatred and revenge have taken its place and name. The fundamental principle of Irish national life, the principle on which all could stand with honor, truth, and conscience, the right, namely, • of Ireland to choose its own fortune, is being trampled on, not by foreigners, but by ourselves. In vain do we ask what public or patriotic purpose can be gained by this horrible and horrifying campaign of violence? Is it the establishment of an independent Irish Republic? Why, it is on record that their own leaders do not believe it possible. But to wreck Ireland because we cannot get everything we should like to have is fanaticism and not patriotism. Or is the object of all this violence to bring the English back again, to react in this century the evil part played by McMurrough in the twelfth ? Or is the motive behind all this havoc mere revenge and personal ambition? And if so, what is that but the old curse of faction which dismantled Ireland originally and paralysed for centuries all her efforts to recover national liberty. Or is the end in view to create general anarchy, to destroy society, and then erect upon its ruins a Soviet after the Russian model?

“Ireland has now practically untrammelled freedom,” he proceeds. “It is, therefore, a cruel and grievous sorrow to see the unscrupulous efforts that are now being made, and very largely by those who did and suffered least in ‘ the black days,’ to rob the country of its hard-won victory.” , . ‘

Godless Theories.

The Bishop of Cork (Most Rev. Ur. Cohalan) says: “The armed conflict and the other disorders in the country have not arisen from a denial of the aidhonty of God, or from a repudiation or avowed disregard of His laws. There was an ardent desire for national independence shared by all. But freedom must be won by lawful means; and we cannot accept the principle, even in a struggle for freedom, that might is right; that success is a moral vindication of preceding actions. The cause of our present troubles, on the moral side, is the action of. insecure moral guides, clerical and lay, generally" functioning privately and furtively, and the acceptance from them of erroneous teaching on the difficult and most important (in regard to social order) questions of civil sovereignty, and of the right

to break away by force from o sovereign : state of which a people or a nation constituted a part.” His Lordship says that, while repudiating godless theories, "your Republican extremists are, themselves, in practice treading the paths of the godless theories,” and points out that the power to establish any form of government republican or monarchial, comes from God.

Whirlpool of Lying Propaganda.

Most Rev. Dr. Coyne, Bishop of Elphin in his pastoral says;—The more united and prosperous Ireland became, as a result of its present charter of freedom, the nearer would come the day for the ’awful assertion of their principles and the full attainment of their ideals. His Lordship appeals for the cessation of guerilla warfare, and, proceeding, says—“ Half-crazed, hysterical women, who know not what they want devote a. large portion of their time to the circulation of calumnies and misleading statements about bishops and priests. They 'assist,- by carrying despatches and arms, in the slaughter of some of the best and bravest of Ireland’s sons. They glory in the destruction of property and in the continued crucifixion of the plain people of the country. And then, with pretended piety and brazen effrontery, they kneel in prayer to God, and, heedless of Our Lord’s warning that ‘ His pearls were not for swine,’ they assert a right to the Sacraments and to the other ministrations of the Catholic Church. Some of our young boys guileless, innocent, thoughtless, and brave, are carried along on this whirlpool of lying propaganda. ’

Parliament Untrammelled by Foreign Control. Most Rev. Dr. Browne, ?lishop of Cloyne, referring to the present situation in Ireland, says:—"The Union Parliament is gone and our own National Parliament, free and untrammelled by any foreign control, sits enthroned in our capital city with larger powers for the government of our country than were vested in any Irish Parliament of pre-Union history. Our National Parliament, elected by the overwhelming majority of the Irish people, is actually in session. It is a democratic Parliament, in which the varied interests of the country have all their representatives. Already our Parliament has given proof of the Irish capacity and genius for self-government. Its proceedings are conducted with edifying order, and the debates are marked by freedom of helpful criticism and legislative ability. It now rests with the Irish people to bring to fruition the great work so auspiciously begun, by giving loyal support to our Parliament, so that it may continue to flourish and become notable among the free, governments of the world for its wise, just, and salutary* legislation. It is not consistent • with whole-hearted loyalty to try to force our Government to take to its bosom the unrepentant forces of disorder. In dealing with this very grave matter our Government has to its credit candor, prudence, and commendable firmness. The door of the Free State is wide open, with a genuine welcome for every Irishman who is prepared to work for the ordered peace- and - prosperity of Ireland.”

Diabolical Crimes.

Most Rev. Dr. Hoare (Ardagh and Clonmaenoise) says that it is a grievous affliction when enmity stares us in any direction. “Could you have thought it possible,” adds his Lordship, “that Irishmen would be so cruel, so lost to all the finer feelings of religion and civilisation, as to organise a system of assassination, and robbery, and destruction, such as we have seen with our eyes? Call to mind the destruction of roads, the land mines, the diabolical sending adrift of the locomotive engine, at full speed with its human and commercial freight, to meet the blown-up bridge and to be precipitated into the valley, or the torrent! The firing of houses, where were old people, and helpless and innocent children; the dragging of men out of their homes and shooting them without priest, or trial! We were formerly the missionaries of Europe. Now our pupils cry shame at us. We were acknowledged as the Insula Sanctorum . et Doctorum. Now we have fallen to the level of the unbeliever and the barbarian.”

Merciless War.

“There is a crisis in Ireland to-day—not a national or political crisis only, which I am debarred from touching in,, a pastoral letter, but a. moral and religious crisis .as well,” declares Most Rev, Dr. O’Dea, Bishop of Galway,

Kilmacudagh and Kilfenora, in his pastoral. "For months past war has been raging in the country, not war with another nation, but civil war; and, worse still a civil war so destructive that if it be not stopped quickly the nation can hardly live. It is, moreover, a most unnatural and unchristian war, a war between old comrades and brothers, between men who are all of the family of God, or called to be such. Yet how merciless is the war between these brothers of Christ!; Another cause, of the present crisis is the prevailing disorder, leading men to believe that they can break Commandments almost with impunity. At other times it did not profit to rob and destroy, because the law of the land followed close on the heels of crime. Now men arc left to their own conscience to choose between God and crime, and conscience has failed to choose God and His law.”

Unchristian Scenes.

Examining the cause of all the unchristian scenes that the country is witnessing to-day, Most Rev. Dr. Hugh, Bishop of Derry, says;—“For years past false teachers have been at work in Ireland secretly inculcating principles at variance with Catholic truth, and of this unholy propaganda we are now experiencing the first great evil result. Of the spirit behind the scene we have ample evidence in the irreligious and almost blasphemous productions that are being put in circulation at home and abroad in the name of Irish Catholics, and under the guise of a fight for national freedom. What .a , spiritual ti agedy to find members of the. Church boastingly declare that their Catholicity holds but a secondary place in their esteem, and that the place of honor must be given to national feeling and national aspirations. Some people are loyal subjects of the Church so long as her religious principles and practices coincide with their wishes and inclinations and all goes smoothly and to their liking; but once these run counter to their desires and demand the sacrifice of self-will in obedience to authority, like the young man in the Gospel, they ‘ turn away sad.’ ”' "Practices Opposed to Christian Teaching.” “With politics we have no concern,” says Most Rev. Dr. Hackett, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, in his pastoral. "In April, and again in October, the path of duly was clearly marked out for Irish Catholics by the bishops. Practices opposed to Christian teaching were condemned and the young men of the country were implored to disassociate themselves from a movement which cannot be followed without grievous sin and which claims and secures as victims those worthy of nobler aspirations.” I be pastoral concludes with an appeal to the young men of the diocese to remember the influence which religion exercised on their lives in days gone by.