There has been an idea put about in Ireland that
the Pope does not really disapprove the tactics of the Land League, and the language of his recent communication to an Irish Bishop has been misrepresented in this sense. In the official organ of the Pope, the Osservatore Romano, published on Christmas Day, and iu the official portion of it, a notice has been inserted with the express view of removing this impression from the minds of all Irishmen who are genuine adherents of the Roman Catholic Church. It runs as follows :—" it is with true grief that we daily read the accounts of Irish affairs, which become every day more serious ; and these accounts are so much the more afflicting, that the good-faith and Christian virtues of the Irish people inspire great and profound sympathy ia all. Would to God—this is the universal wish--that opportune and careful provisions on the part of the Government may put an end to the deplorable conflict. But in the ardour of the dispute, it is the supreme duty of the Irish Clergy and of the people to show that even in defence of legitimate interests, the children of the Church distinguish themselves from the party of res olution, and do not forget the capital principle of Catholic morality,— that the goodness of the end does not justify measures leading to anarchy and disapproved by the conscience, the use of which might even compromise the future of the country." It is easy to see what that means. The Pope holds that all true Catholics should separate themselves openly from the policy of violence, conspiracy, and broken faith.
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