HC Deb 26 February 1901 vol 89 cc1189-90
MR. M'FADDEN (Donegal, E.)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the Pastoral Letter to the Archbishops and Bishops of Ireland, assembled in National Synod at Maynooth last year, in which they complained that though Roman Catholic sailors were required to go to every quarter of the globe and to be ready at all times to fight, no Roman Catholic priest is allowed to accompany them, and no proper provision is made for the practise of their religion; and whether the Government will take immediate steps to remedy this state of things by appointing Roman Catholic chaplains sufficient for the spiritual requirements of the Roman Catholics at present serving in His Majesty's Navy.

* THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER,) Belfast, W.

My attention has not been drawn to the letter referred to by the hon. Member, but the statement that no proper provision is made for the practise of their religion by Roman Catholic seamen in the Royal Navy is incorrect. Every possible facility, consistent with the exigencies of the Service, is accorded, and while it is impossible to place a Roman Catholic priest on board His Majesty's ships, provision is made at all ports where Roman Catholic missions exist to afford spiritual ministrations to the men. As stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Clare on Friday last, a Roman Catholic chaplain has been sent to China, whose services are in addition to those provided locally. The Admiralty is always ready to consider, and, if possible, to give effect to any reasonable proposals which may be made with the object of providing for the spiritual welfare of men of all creeds serving in the fleet.

COLONEL NOLAN

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that an impression prevails in some quarters that a ship would sink if there were a Catholic priest on board?

A NATIONALIST MEMBER

What greater difficulty is there in sending a Roman Catholic priest on board a man-of-war than there is in the case of a Protestant?

* MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

The difficulty is to find accommodation for more chaplains than we already have. The Admiralty, too, are advised that more chaplains are not necessary.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

Will the hon. Gentleman put himself in communication with Cardinal Logue?

* MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

I cannot give any promise to communicate with any particular bishop or archbishop. Cardinal Vaughan has been in consultation with the Admiralty, and I understand that he represents the Roman Catholic view.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

But is it not the fact that most of the Catholic sailors in the Navy are Irishmen, and in view of that will the hon. Member communicate with Cardinal Logue?

* MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

No, Sir. I cannot give any such undertaking.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

Then I give notice I will raise this question on the Navy Estimates.