§ MR. HENNESSYsaid, that he wished to call the attention of the House to a matter of some importance, and to put a question to the Government upon it. He called at the Home Office that day for the 2196 purpose of calling the attention of the right hon. Gentleman the Home Secretary to the matter. He saw the hon. Under Secretary for the Home Department, who was in his place, and acquainted him with the course which he intended to take. The circumstance he referred to was mentioned in the Ripon and Richmond Journal, and was to the following effect:—
Removal of a Tombstone by Order of the Bishop of Ripon.—An event forming a general topic of discussion, and creating a high degree of feeling in certain quarters of the town, has transpired since our last issue, by the enforced removal of a tombstone placed at the grave of the late Mr. W. Priestman, in the parish churchyard. The stone, which is of a tasteful character, consists of an ornamental cross, with a crown of thorns encircling the sacred monogram 'I. H. S.' The stem of the cross divides the front of the stone into two compartments, on the left side of which is the following inscription:—'Of your charity pray for the repose of the soul of William Priestman, who departed this life September 6th, 1860, aged 62 years. R. I. P. Eternal rest give to him, 0 Lord.' Running down the stem of the cross are the following words:—'Miserere me, Dens.' We need scarcely remark that the interference has arisen in consequence of the purgatorial doctrine implied in the inscription, which is contrary to the Articles of the Church of England. After the stone had been up for about a week, we are informed, an order was received from the Bishop of Ripon, addressed to the rector or his representative, that it should be at once removed. This having been notified to the family of Mr. Priestman, they declined to comply with the Bishop's order. On the communication of the refusal the church authorities directed the immediate removal of the stone, which was carried out on Saturday last.He understood that the tombstone had been removed against the wishes of the family, at the desire, and by the order of the Bishop of Ripon. He was also informed that the person to whom the Bishop of Ripon directed the order could not find a single labouring man who would perform the duty. However, other labourers were got, the tombstone was forcibly removed, and the grave desecrated. He believed the right rev. Prelate recently distinguished himself at a meeting at St. James's Hall, by denouncing the intolerant conduct of the Government of Spain; but if the right rev. Prelate could have pointed out such an instance of intolerance on the part of the Spanish Government towards foreigners would he not have done so? He believed that the removal of the stone was an illegal act, and if the Bishop of Ripon had jurisdiction in this diocese, and should carry out his idea, he must destroy most of the monuments in Westminster Abbey and many in Her Majesty's Chapel at Wind- 2197 sor. He asked, If the attention of the Government had been called to the subject, and what stops had been taken with regard to it?