IRELAND.
Mr. Cardwell's reply to the memorial of the Irish Roman Catholic Bishops, asking for changes in the fundamental principles of the system of national education in Ireland, has been published, together with the memorial, as a Parliamentary paper. After entering separately into the complaints of the prelates, and clearly expounding the principles on which the system rests, Mr. Cardwell says- " While, therefore, I convey to you, on the part of her Majesty's Govern- ment, the declaration of their firm adherence to a system of education open equally at the hours set apart for secular instruction to every denomination of Christians, I declare to you with equal plainness their desire to give full effect to that other principle of the system which provides for separate reli- gious teaching, and respect; in the case of every child, the just authority of the parent. Consistently with these principles, they are perfectly ready to examine, and, if need be, to remove the ground of any complaint which the heads of any of the churches may prefer against the operation of any of the present rules, or of any part of the present practice."
Dr. Cullen has issued a decree directing that a "collection" shall be made in the Roman Catholic Churches on the first Sunday in Lent. This new " rent " is to be poured into the Treasury of the Pope.
Previous page
