Letter from Bishop E. Mulhern to Hagan

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View/Open: HAG1-1921-54.pdf (167MB) Bookview

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DigitalGeorgetown

Pontifical Irish College

Contributor

Mulhern, Edward

Hagan, John, 1873-1930

Description

Holograph letter from Bishop E. Mulhern, Ardmaine, Newry (County Down), to Hagan, sending him the diocesan contribution to the children's charity which is higher than expected – especially in view of thousands in Dromore as well as Down and Connor having been driven from their homes, chiefly for being Catholics. They were beneficents of charity themselves. Discussing the role of the Papacy as perceived by the Irish in the past and now; they still depend on it for blessings and for sympathy – commenting on the 'distant rumblings of intrigues at Rome' and hinting at the possible alienation of Irish people from the Pope. Sketching the development that rendered Irish people highly conscious and knowledgeable as to the political state of affairs. 'We are an excitable people capable of great vices as well as of great virtues; and it is easy to imagine what would be their feelings if now in the midst of their agony with their nerves strung to the highest pitch, their hopes were dashed to pieces by the one power on which they rely for the greatest moral support'. Asking Hagan to impart his opinions to His Holiness – his people are now suffering 'their own particular pogrom'. (Now attached is a type- script copy of the letter.)