IRELAND (CHURCH.) 



129 



prelate. Every diocese has also a dean, who has the 

 peculiar direction of all ecclesiastical matters apper- 

 taining to Ireland, and also an archdeacon, named by 

 the bishop. These are two mere nominal dignities, 

 having neither power nor emolument annexed to 

 them. On the death of a bishop, the clergy of the 

 diocese are empowered by the canon law to elect a 

 vicar capitular, who is invested, during the vacancy 

 of the see, with episcopal jurisdiction ; but if such 

 election does not take place within a specified number 

 of days after the demise of the bishop has been noti- 

 fied to them, the archbishop of the province may 

 appoint of his own authority, the vicar. The clergy, 

 in the mean time, assemble, and fix their choice on 

 one of their own body, or sometimes on a stranger, 

 that he may be appointed to the vacant see. The 

 bishops also of the province consult each other, and 

 unite in presenting two or three men of merit, one of 

 whom is usually appointed. The appointment of the 

 Irish bishops takes place on Monday, and on the 

 following Sunday is submitted to the pope, who 

 may confirm or annul the nomination at will. 



The parish priest is supported by voluntary con- 

 tributions, if that can be called voluntary which is 

 established by ancient custom and general prevalence. 

 His income springs from various sources. From 

 Easter, and Christmas dues. These consist in a 

 certain sum paid by the head of every family to the 

 parish priest for his support, and in consideration of 

 his trouble in catechising, instructing, and hearing 

 the confessions of his family. The sum is greater or 

 smaller hi proportion to the circumstances of the 

 parishioner. In the country parishes it is generally a 

 shilling at Easter, and a shilling at Christmas ; some 

 give half a crown, some a crown, and some few a 

 guinea a year. There is no general ecclesiastical 

 law to enforce the payment of these trifles ; but as 

 the mode was struck out in what lias been denomi- 

 nated the council of Kilkenny, under Rinnuccini, it 

 has continued ever since to be practised, and from 

 custom has acquired the force of law. The sum to 

 be paid at weddings is different in different dioceses. 

 The parochial fee for each christening is two 

 shillings or half a crown, besides which the spon- 

 sors usually give something more. Some trifle is 

 generally given for visiting the sick; a shilling 

 usually in the country. 



The estimate of the income of clergymen who are 

 not of the established church amounts annually to 

 264,000, and the number of clergymen, 2,378, at 

 an average of 1 10 each. The number of hearers is 

 6,600,000, computed as follows : Catholics, 5.500,000 

 Presbyterians, 800,000, and Methodists and other 

 sects, 300,000. The places of worship amount to 

 2,378. The number of all the clergymen is thus 

 given in the Dublin Evening Post, of 14th March, 

 1822. Catholic clergy, 1,994 Presbyterian 239, 

 and other sects 145. Total clergymen, 2,378. And 

 the established church clergy 1,697. Grand total of 

 all sects of clergymen, 4,075. 



In some parts of the country custom has estab- 

 lished, that a certain quantity of hay and oats is 

 sent by the more opulent parishioners to the clergy- 

 man, that his turf should be cut, his corn reaped, his 

 meadow mowed, &c., gratis. The general stipend of 

 the curate is the third part of the general receipts ot 

 the parish ; but in some instances he receives half 

 the parochial emoluments. 



The following is a statement of the incomes of the 

 dignitaries of the Established Church. 



Total of Archbishops and Bishops, 



.84,952 S 1 .67,368 4 9 



In order that the reader may have before him a 

 full view of the present condition of church property 

 in Ireland, we subjoin a series of Tables which have 

 been constructed by the Clerical Society, and are 

 founded upon authentic and ample returns. These 

 tables show how little ground there is for the asser- 

 tion that the clergy of the established church are 

 paid chiefly by the Roman Catholic population. The 

 proportion of composition to which Protestant 

 property is liable exceeds nearly twenty times that 

 which is payable out of lands of which the fee is in 

 Roman Catholic proprietors. 



TABLE FIRST. 



TABLE FIRST CONTINUED. 



TABLE FIRST CONTINUED. 



IV. 



