FILE 31/6: 1838 Pastorals 1 Pastoral address of Murray to the Catholic tradesmen of Dublin. 2 February 1838. 2 Murray's Lenten pastoral. 19 February 1838. From Dr Murray 3 A copy of a letter from Murray to the Earl of Shrewsbury. In reply to a query by the latter asking if the Holy See disapproved of the oath to be taken by Catholics as per the Emancipation Bill of 1829: Murray said there was no communication between the Holy See and the bishops re this, but he had heard recently that the matter had been brought to the notice of the Holy See by the bishop of Malta. The Irish bishops considered themselves competent to decide — as a point of morality — on the lawfulness or unlawfulness of the oath without referring the matter further. Murray personally thought it insulting, unnecessary and inclined to excite scruples in timid persons. Concerning the charges brought against the Irish clergy recently in regard to oaths, in a publication by the bishop of Exeter, Murray protests strongly and says that Lord Fingall can attest that this was an unjust libel. 4 April 1838. (cf. 91 below). 4 A draft of a letter from Murray to Dr Browne, bishop of Gal way (from Rahan Lodge, Tullamore). A long reply to Browne, who has changed his opinion on the system of National Education. Murray is surprised at this and asks Browne not to publish any document on the matter, in which he differs from the unanimous opinion of the Irish prelates. He takes points Browne made in a letter and deals with them systematically. The other Connaught prelates consider the National Education system would be of benefit to their people. If Browne rushes into print re the matter Murray will feel justified in publishing the correspondence between himself and Browne. 6 August 1838. Irish Bishops (The following 34 letters are replies to a query by Murray asking their opinion on the system of National Education). 5 Dr Ryan, bishop of Limerick, to Murray. He favours the system as the best that can be expected in the present condition of the country. 7 March 1838. 6 Dr Slattery, Thurles, to Murray. Several schools in his diocese follow the system and so far he has no reason to object to it; he thinks the system will be satisfactory as long as Murray remains a member of the Education Board. 7 March 1838. 7 Dr Egan, Kerry, to Murray. He had to leave Dublin before the prelates discussed the matter but he regrets that Dr McHale thought fit to 'rush into print' with his condemnation of the system, 'giving our enemies an opportunity to denounce the Commissioners of Education'. He would prefer a better system but he and his priests are glad to be freed from the annoyance of the Kildare St Society. He gives other reasons for accepting the system and asks Murray to append his name to any document Murray may draw up approving of the system. 8 March 1838. 8 Dr Crolly, archbishop of Armagh, to Murray. He sees no reason for not supporting the present system of National Education, an opinion very few Irish bishops oppose. 9 March 1838. 9 Dr Cantwell, bishop of Meath, to Murray. If parliament would pay for a separate system of education for Catholics, he would prefer it, but as such cannot be hoped for, he would not reject the present system; he lists points in the present system which, he thinks, call for a remedy; he also is apprehensive of the removal of the present commissioners if a Tory government came to power, and of pressures put on poor parents by Tory employers. He writes at considerable length. He is happy as long as Murray remains a member of the Board of Commissioners for National Education. 9 March 1838. 10 Dr Kinsella, bishop of Ossory, to Murray. He approves of the National Education system and of the manner in which it is being administered- at least in his diocese. He holds that the commissioners have done the best possible in the circumstances and are acting fairly. Murray may publish Kinsella's opinion on this if he wishes. 9 March 1838. 11 Dr Coen, bishop of Clonfert, to Murray. He regards the new system as a great boon, especially in his diocese which was overrun with proselytizers and suffered from the interference of the Kildare Place Society 'and male and female new lights'. He would naturally prefer the education of the children in his diocese to be under the care of their pastors but is aware that that is not government thinking. He knows that if anything dangerous to faith is introduced Murray will intervene. 9 March 1838. 12 Dr Kernan, bishop of Clogher, to Murray. He thinks the commissioners have acted liberally and kindly; in his diocese three or four hundred poor children are being educated and he does not fear any interference with their religion; his priests are very vigilant. 9 March 1838. 13 Dr Higgins, bishop of Ardagh, to Murray. He looks on the present system as wrong in principle and in many instances capricious and unjust in its operation. If Murray thought of resigning as commissioner, 90 MURRAY PAPERS 13 List of numbers of deaths from starvation and famine compiled by Thomas Synnott deputed by Murray to look after famine relief funds. Deaths from starvation up to 25 September 1847, 22,241; from diseases consequent on starvation, 51,884. He gives statistics for 19 counties. 21 Oct. 1 847. 14 Dr Slattery, Thurles to Murray, acknowledging receipt of a letter of credit for £500. Discusses the work of Proslytisers in Kerry. He read of the death of Gayer of Dingle but someone else will start up in his place. The people are in a worse state than they were last year. He comments on the inadequacies of outdoor relief. In the meantime Extermination goes on under the protection of Law. "Oh that 1 for once could fly from this wretched country into some solitude where I might at all events die in peace". 5 Feb. 1848. 15 Same to same acknowledging receipt of a bank order for £350. The Catholic Pastor of Rheindorf in the Rhenish Provinces wrote to him last week offering the loan of money for famine relief. 12 Apr. 1848. 16 Dr Feeney, Bishop of Killala, to Murray (from Ballina) thanking him for £230 for famine relief in his diocese. 13 Apr. 1848. 17 Fr Michael Enright, Castletownbere, to Murray; thanking him for £15 for the poor of his parish; protesting against proselytising going on and enclosing a letter from Mr Reddington, with his protest. He asks Murray to read and forward same. A "bevy of Parsons are going hourly from house to house distributing tracts and calumniating our religion". 14June 1848. 18 Fr Fitzmaurice Clifden, to Synnott, thanking Murray for £25 for famine relief of two united and one adjoining parishes; for a year they got no aid from the Commission set up; he asks Murray to plead their case. Proselytism is rampant; 13 bible readers under command of a bankrupt landlord are doing great mischief and getting all the funds of the British Association and changing bad Catholics into good hypocrites. 19 Fr Keogh (Mayo) and Fr Keane (Galway), to Fr Synnott. Keogh has had to fly from his parish, but it is from the frying pan into the fire for they in Galway are equally destitute. 3 July 1848. 59 re religious instruction which has some features he considers dangerous. 11 March 1838. 20 Dr Denvir, bishop of Down and Conor, to Murray. He approves of the system as it operates in his diocese and did not agree with opinions expressed by some prelates against it at the bishops' meeting in Dublin; his only complaint is that the monies allotted are not half that which are needed to build and maintain the number of schools requested; but he implores Murray not to resign from the board of commissioners. 11 March 1838. 21 Dr Higgins, bishop of Ardagh, to Murray, (cf. 13 above). He thinks it wrong that non-Catholics have the right of selecting school texts. In the course of a long letter he states that though he does not approve of everything, in principle or practice, of the system, he avoids saying so publicly, unless he sees the faith or morals of his flock being in evident danger — in such a case he will speak out. 11 March 1838. 22 Dr Browne, bishop of Galway, to Murray (cf. 4 above). As long as Murray is on the board of commissioners, Browne does not fear any danger to the faith, though he would prefer separate arrangements for Catholic children. It is reported that an imprudent lecture was given by one of the masters to the trainee teachers in the model schools; he heard that the board intervened and checked the evil. In the course of a long letter he cites a few other objections, but is happy with the scheme on the whole, as long as Murray is on the board. 11 March 1838. 23 Dr Slattery, Thurles, to Murray. He thinks Lord Ebrington's action in publishing the Bishop's Memorial to the Lord Lieutenant unwarrantable and unprincipled; Ebrington acted in self-defence against Dr McHale's attack upon him in Tuam Lenten Pastoral; Slattery had misgivings that something like this would happen and he told the primate that he feared an attempt would be made to misrepresent things and place the bishops in a wrong position before the public.