IRELAND AND THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. [To THE EDITOR OP
THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—In a letter published in your issue of September 9th Mr. Wardlaw "shows the position of the Roman Catholic Church, and that she is blameless" as regards Irish violence and out- rage. Her position, he says, is that she is" international and not concerned with national questions, but with souls." I pass over the statement that Rome does not meddle in foreign affairs. What has been condemned is the tolerance of crime shown in Ireland. "What one may condemn as a priest one may support as a patriot," says Mr. Wardlaw. There can be nothing but condemnation for this principle. The priest's test of right and wrong in every capacity should be conformity with the eternal righteousness. If patriotism gives a different standard he may be sure that it is a spurious patriotism. And he who adopts the lower standard rejects the commandment of God to keep a tradition of men.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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