ABSTRACT
The Archbishops and Bishops of Ireland, assembled in Dublin on the 24th Oct., the Primate of all Ireland in the chair, 2 having exchanged views regarding the present condition of the suffering classes of their respective dioceses, came to the unanimous conclusion that a very serious crisis is now impending, and that the distress with which the great body of the people are threatened are likely to be so deep and widespread that mere private efforts for its alleviation will be totally inadequate. It was, therefore, agreed:
That it is the urgent duty of the Government to take effectual measures to save the people from a calamity which has come upon them through no fault of their own.
That with the sad experience before us of the operations of the Poor-law Act for the relief of the masses during the famine of the past generation, we consider its provisions unsuited and insufficient to meet the necessities of the impending crisis.
That some scheme of public employment which would at once relieve the present pressing wants of the people, and be productive of permanent benefit should be promptly devised, and carried into immediate operation throughout the country – such schemes to embrace arterial drainage, the reclamation of waste lands, the construction of earthworks for trams and railways, the plantation of mountain and marshy districts, as well as the improvement of tenants' holdings.
That a deputation, consisting of the Primate, the Archbishop of Dublin, and the Bishops of Elphin and Limerick, wait on the Lord Lieutenant to request his Grace to submit these views to her Majesty's Government. 3
211That we applaud and cheerfully bear testimony to the generous conduct of many landlords in our respective dioceses towards their distressed tenantry, and that we appeal to others to promptly imitate their example. That we beg of public administrative bodies, as well as private individuals, to continue, and, where possible, to extend the employment of the labouring classes.
That, whilst making this appeal for the relief of our people, and resolving to use our utmost efforts to bring it to practical results, we feel it equally our duty to exhort our flocks to act under their trials with Christian patience and charity; to help each other to the utmost of their ability; to respect the rights of others; to pay their just debts to the fullest extent of their means; and to obey the laws – whilst using, at all time, all peace and constitutional means to improve their condition, especially by the reform of the Land Laws, which are a main cause of the poverty and helplessness of our country.
