PETITION PRESENTED. (Hansard, 5 April 1886)

§ THE EARL OF COURTOWN

, in presenting a Petition from the General Synod of the Church of Ireland against any measure which should endanger the Legislative Union between Great Britain and Ireland, said, the General Synod represented many thousands of the people of Ireland, and especially the more cultivated and professional class. No doubt the greater number were to be found in the Northern Province; but they were also to be found largely distributed over the Southern and Western portion of the country, and at least 100,000 resided in the diocese of the Archbishop of Dublin. They were of every rank and class, and might include the majority of those who formed the first rank in education, property, and professional eminence. The General Synod represented this vast population in the strictest sense. It was this Body which, in answer to the invitation which the Prime Minister had issued to all parties in Ireland to express their views upon the subject of Home Rule, and at the request of numerous members of the Church, was convened by the Archbishop of Dublin in order to take counsel together in this grave crisis in the history of the country, especially having regard to its effect on the Church of Ireland. Their Lordships should recollect that the members of that Church had made great sacrifices, personal and pecuniary, in providing funds for the sustentation of the churches in Ireland under the new condition of things consequent upon the Act for the Disestablishment of the Irish Church. The Synod was very largely attended, and the opinions of those present were well expressed 721 in the words of one of the laity, who said— It was their undoubted right—nay, it was their bounden duty as Churchmen—to make the voice of their Church heard in defence of her liberties. No doubt in this matter they were to have guarantees offered; but they could not forget certain events in connection with James II. and the rebellions of 1642 and 1798. Without going into history at length, he might add that they could not forget the guarantees contained in the Act of Union, and solemn promises made at the time of Catholic Emancipation. The whole question was thoroughly considered by the Synod, who had embodied their views in the Petition which he presented, and which he moved should be read by the Clerk at the Table.