But before I can discuss what I may call the religious situation, there is one fundamental question—­a question which will appear somewhat strange to anyone not in touch with Irish life—­which I must, with a view to a general agreement on essentials, submit to some of my co-religionists.  In all seriousness I would ask, whether in their opinion the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland is to be tolerated.  If the answer be in the negative, I can only reply that any efforts to stamp out the Roman Catholic faith would fail as they did in the past; and the practical minds among those I am now addressing must admit that in toleration alone is to be found the solution of that part of the Irish difficulty which is due to sectarian animosities.

This brings us face to face with the question, What is religious toleration—­I do not mean as a pious sentiment which we are all conscious of ourselves possessing in a truer sense than that in which it is possessed by others, but rather toleration as an essential of the liberty which we Protestants enjoy under the British Constitution, and boast that all other creeds equally enjoy?  Perhaps I had better state simply how I answer this question in my own mind.  Toleration by the Irish minority, in regard to the religious faith and ecclesiastical system of the Irish majority, implies that we admit the right of Rome to say what Roman Catholics shall believe and what outward forms they shall observe, and that they shall not suffer before the State for these beliefs and observances.  I do not think exception can be taken to the statement that toleration in this narrow sense cannot be refused consistently with the fundamental principles of British government.

Now, however, comes a less obvious, but, as I think, no less essential condition of toleration in the sense above indicated.  The Roman Catholic Hierarchy claim the right to exercise such supervision and control over the education of their flock as will enable them to safe-guard faith and morals as preached and practised by their Church.  I concede this second claim as a necessary corollary of the first.  Having lived most of my life among Roman Catholics—­two branches of my own family belonging to that religion—­I am aware that this control is an essential part of the whole fabric of Roman Catholicism.  Whether the basis of authority upon which that system is founded be in its origin divine or human is beside the point.  If we profess to tolerate the faith and religious system of the majority of our countrymen we must at least concede the conditions essential to the maintenance of both the one and the other, unless our tolerance is to be a sham.