to the fullest the rights of confidence,
and when those more liberal laws
work well and stand for reasonable requirement.
every
The Roman Catholic Clergy broached against the present Marriage
(as introduced),
but when it became a law they have obeyed it and enforced obedience on
their religionists.
as far as possible and practicable, with regard to the laws of the Church. They have disregarded it, and will continue to
do so, whenever the higher laws of religion and conscience interfere with its prosecution. A Roman Catholic priest for marrying a dying but repentant sinner on his death-bed in
a private house without licence special or general, but in accordance with
the dictates of his religion, and his conscience, would be an impossible proceeding.
Why
a law
260
impossible of enforcement, needlessly
offensive to a large section of Her Majesty's subjects and unnecessary for the attainment of the ends in view,
when the same purposes can
be
more
fully attained in another way consonant with the justice and the liberality of the English Government, and with the sentiments of toleration it professes, and when the other and
better way
is enforced in a
recognised and neighbouring Colony,
and in the vast Empire of India.
I have &c.
(Signed) D. J. Raimondi, Bishop Vicar Apostolic.
Why