SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLEFasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether any report has been received from Gibraltar of the continued refusal of the Roman Catholic community of the place to acknowledge Dr. Canilla as Vicar Apostolic, notwithstanding that he was forcibly placed in possession of the temporalities of the Roman Catholic Church by order from Lord Kimberley; whether, in consequence of this refusal, the Roman Catholic community are practically deprived of the religious ministrations of their Church at baptisms, weddings, and funerals; and, whether Her Majesty's Government have taken or will take any steps to restore a more satisfactory state of things among the Roman Catholics at Gibraltar?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYSir, a renewed protest has been received against the appointment to this post of Dr. Canilla, adopted at a meeting held at Gibralter on the 2nd of March. The Papers presented to Parliament last year show that beyond the dispersion of a mob, which unlawfully obstructed Dr. Canilla's installation, the Government did not interfere. The Governor reports that the services are well attended, and civil funerals are diminishing. Beyond preserving the peace. Her Majesty's 312 Government do not consider it their duty to interfere in these affairs of the Roman Catholic community at Gibraltar.
§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFThe Question is, Whether the Roman Catholic community are not obliged to go out of Gibraltar for the ministrations referred to?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYIn the form in which the Question is asked, that result is put as an inference, and not as an inquiry as to a fact.
§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFAre they not, in consequence of their refusal to accept the services of Dr. Canilla, compelled to go outside for baptisms and weddings?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYYes, a great many do, no doubt; but they go of their own free choice.