§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
THE EARL OF DONOUGHMOREwas understood to say that the object of the measure was to appoint two vicars-general, who were to act as assessors for the whole of the Irish Bishops, and thus to alter the existing law under which each prelate in Ireland had a vicar-general who acted as his individual assessor. A majority of the Irish Bishops would have the power of appointing the two new functionaries.
§ Moved—That the Bill be now read 2a.
§ LORD CRANWORTHexpressed his approval of the Bill which, he said, proceeded very much on the same principle as a measure which he had some time since unsuccessfully introduced, and which would have embraced in its operation this country as well as Ireland.
THE BISHOP OF OXFORDsaid, his right rev. Brethren of England objected to the appointment of two functionaries to act as vicars-general, believing that it would be injurious to the Church, and prejudicial to the interests of individual clergymen. He should not oppose the Bill, but would decidedly protest against the adoption of any similar measure affecting the English Church.
§ Motion agreed to: Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the whole House on Monday the 7th of March next.