1827.] The Catholics of Ireland. 7 



A third point and one of far more consequence upon which we are 

 opposed to the demands of the Catholics, rests upon the plain expression, 

 and, as it seems to us, unavoidable interpretation, of a very important 

 document in their cause the Catholic Bishop's Ordination oath. If it 

 is said that we stand here upon a " question of words," then we must 

 answer, that to the giving up of " words " (which have no meaning), there 

 can be no rational difficulty or objection ; and that when we who are the 

 stronger party are prepared to concede so much which has real meaning 

 to the Catholics, it looks suspicious any pride or refusal on their part 

 about giving up a very little (which is said to have no meaning) to us. 

 The oath, however, sworn by every Catholic Bishop to the court of 

 Rome on his appointment, shall speak for itself. And it stands thus : 



" I, from this time forward, will be obedient to my Lord the Pope, and to 

 his succssors." 



To this there is no objection. 



" The counsels with which they trust me / will not disclose to any man." 



To this, we will not take any objection. 



" I will assist to maintain the royalties of St. Peter against all men" 



This might, perhaps, be a little doubtful. 



" I will carefully preserve, defend, and promote the rights, privileges, and au- 

 thorities of the Pope." 



Even this we will suppose to be meant merely in a spiritual sense ; 

 though, seeing that spiritual objects are attained and always have 

 been by temporal means, we are not so clear as we could desire to 

 be, about the " great gulph" which parts an ecclesiastical from a civil 

 ministry. 



But our immoveable objection arises upon the next clause : 



" I will not be in any action, council, or treaty, in which any thing prejudicial 

 to the person, right, or power of the Pope is contrived ; and, if I shall know any 

 such things treated of, by any whomsoever, I will to the utmost of my power 

 hinder them, and with all speed signify them to the Pope.** 



Now the question here is not a question of expression. In the old 

 Latin copy of the oath before us, the line, " prejudicial to the power of 

 the Pope, &c. is contrived," would read more strictly " is plotted " the 

 latin word used being " machinentur" But there is a plain, direct, and 

 obvious undertaking, in the whole meaning of the paragraph, to "hinder" 

 and " give information of" all policies treated for purposes hostile to 

 the advantage of the Catholic faith. Thus much, then ? seems certain. 

 (We are coming now to the question of admitting Catholics or making 

 them eligible to be admitted to the Privy Council.) That right of admis- 

 sion could never be enjoyed by Roman Catholic subjects universally ; 

 because Catholic Bishops of their own act must, we apprehend, be 

 shut out and exempted from it. No man who had taken the oath which 

 we have just copied, could as it seems to us without direct perjury, 

 afterwards take the Privy Counsellors oath ; because, having already 

 stuorw to communicate and disclose, to a particular individual, everything 

 (upon a particular subject) which should come within his knowledge, he 

 would there have to swear, most deeply and unequivocally, never to dis- 

 close any thing to any individual, or upon any subject, of that which 

 should come within his knowledge. The words of the Privy Counsellor's 

 oath are these : 



" You shall keep close and secret all such matters as shall be treated, dis- 

 puted, detailed, or resolved on in council, without disclosing the same, or any part 

 thereof.'* 



