The lands bestowed on the church obtained certain immunities from exactions, to which other possessions were subject. Benefits derived hence to the civil community. The Ecclesiastical possessions were however occasionally subjected to heavy exactions. For some time, military service was required of the Clergy. This exaction was abolished at length by Aidus, Chief Monarch of Ireland. After the invasion, various enactments were made under the sanction of Henry, to abolish the pecuniary and the other exactions, to which the Clergy and Ecclesiastical property of every kind had been previously subjected, and to enforce the payment of tithes. Character of the English Clergy, who accompanied the invaders to Ireland. Opinion entertained by the Clergy and the people of Ireland on the temporal authority of the Pope. Comorbans--Erenachs-the nature of their office, and the abuses that arose from their appointment, especially in the See of Armagh. Solemnity used in consecrating the Termon Lands. Privileges of these lands. Promise of Henry to remit a certain tribute annually to Rome. CHAPTER VI. Origin of the Monastick Institute-Introduction of Monachism into IrelandSt. Columbkill his history—his birth, education, &c. &c.-Monasteries established by him in Ireland and in the Island of Hy-Canons Regular of St. Austin and Cistercian Monks, established in Ireland by St. Malachy--St. Columbanus—his rule-St. Brigid-Order of Nuns founded by her-her history, &c. &c. Gospel Counsels-their utility-their practice by the first Christians. 172 The degeneracy of succeeding times made those who desired to practice them retire into solitude. At an early period St. Anthony and Pachonius were resorted to by many disciples, who wished to practice perfection under their direction. Hence the origin of the monastick institute. The basis of the monastick mode of life the same in every institute. The accidental or secondary part only of their discipline being different. All practised alike obedience, poverty, and chastity. The Superior of each Association exercised entire discretionary power over his Monks. The Monks at first did not make solemn vows. This usage began only after the lapse of ages, when piety was growing cold. Before however vows were allowed to be made, the candidate was obliged to undergo a rigorous probation, and finally dismissed unless approved of by the Brethren. The introduction of the religious life into Ireland is coeval with the conversion of that country. The first religious establishments of Ireland formed after those that St. Martin had erected at Tours. They combined the virtues of the monastick state with the education of youth for the sanctuary. The youth of Ireland resorted eagerly to them, and applied themselves zealously to the cultivation of learning and virtue. Columbkill-his birth, &c. &c. Early piety-Education-Miracles-Ordination-Monasteries. Prepares to leave Ireland, in consequence of the interruption, which the feuds of his family gave to his zeal. Sails for the Island of Hy, and settles there. Engages in the conversion of the Picts. Obtains by a miracle an interview with their King Brude. After labouring successfully in the conversion of the Picts, he is said to have passed to the Orkney Islands. He preached also to the people who inhabited the other Islands in the vicinity of Hy. Preaches also to the British Scots. Revisits Ireland. Is appointed to decide a Controversy between the Princes Aidus and Aidan. Visits his institutions in Ireland. Returns to Hy-and dies. Character of the Monks of Columba's order. Canons Regular introduced into Ireland by St. Malachy, in consequence of the decay of the Irish Monasteries caused by the Danish devastations. Introduction of the Monks of Clairvaux by St. Malachy. Origin of the institution at Clairvaux, and of the Benedictine order of Monks. Description of the rule which they followed. St. Bernard. St. Columbanus-his rule. Disciplinary regulations of the Irish Monks. Their obedience-Chastity-Poverty. St. Brigid-her history-Order of Nuns established by her. Her death-Removal of her remains, together with those of St. Columbkill, to Down. CHAPTER VII. Ministry and Government of the Irish Church maintained and regulated by the same rules which the Catholic Church follows-Paschal Controversy―Jurisdiction of the Roman Pontiff over the Primitive Church of Ireland. &c. &c. Constant communion of the Irish Church with the Apostolick See 243 An exposition of the Controversy, which relates to the Ministry and Government of the Christian Church. Opinions of the different classes of Protestants on these subjects. Doctrine of the Catholic Church upon them. Account of the several tribunals, by which, according to the discipline of the Catholic Church, every ecclesiastical concern is to be adjusted. The Irish Church always governed by similar tribunals. The authority which the Catholic Church recognises in the Roman Pontiff was always recognised by the Irish Church. The various incidents which occurred during the Paschal Controversy establish the truth of this position. Testimony of St. Columbanus on the belief of his countrymen, respecting the superior authority of the Roman Pontiff. Account of some of the Synods, held in Britain and in Ireland to adjust the Paschal Controversy. Constant communion of the Irish Church with the Churches of Britain and of the Continent, in which churches the Pope's authority was always acknowledged. Names of several Irish Ecclesiasticks who became distinguished in Britain and the other principal countries of Europe, and who were promoted to various dignities in the Churches of those countries. The conduct of Henry shows, that long before his time, the doctrine of the Pope's Supremacy was the received doctrine of the Irish Church. CHAPTER VIII. Doctrine of the Irish Church on the Sacraments--On the Real Presence-On the Baptism the necessity of this Sacrament for the remission of original sin. Rules prescribed by the Irish Church in the administration of Baptism. 279 Falsity of the charges preferred by English writers against the Irish church, on account of the mode of administering Baptism, which was used in Ireland. Confirmation administered after Baptism, as appears from the account of the conduct of Coroticus. Eucharist-the doctrine of the Irish church on the Eucharist, considered both as a Sacrament and a Sacrifice, shown to be the same with that of the Catholic Church. Confession even of secret sins practised by the early Professors of the Gospel in Ireland. Cummian, in his Penitential, treats of the Confession of secret sins, and prescribes the penance to be enjoined for them. The Canons of the Irish church treat also on confession, on penance and absolution. The neglect of Confession was regarded as a certain indication of indifference in the concerns of salvation. Exertions of St. Malachy to revive the frequent use of Confession. b The Penitential of Cummian commends the efficacy of good works, and teaches the necessity of doing penance to satisfy the Divine Justice for sin. The same doctrine was taught by the Apostle of Ireland. Public penance sometimes enforced by the Irish Canons. Extreme Unction-Doctrine of the Catholic church on this Sacrament. Sacrament of Holy Orders. Orders were administered in Ireland according to the same rite, which was used in the British and Continental churches. The doctrine of the Irish church on orders entirely agreed with that, which those churches professed. Hence numerous instances occur, of Ecclesiasticks, who were ordained in Ireland, and who exercised their functions in the principal churches of Germany, Gaul, Italy and Britain. The peculiar usage of the Monastery of Hy supplies no proof, that the Irish church professed formerly a different doctrine on Episcopacy, from that which the Catholic church now professes. The argument derived from the Culdees equally inconclusive, as that just now referred to. Matrimony reckoned among the Sacraments by the Pastors of the Irish church. Discipline of the Irish church regarding Matrimony. The bond of Matrimony the Irish church held to be indissoluble. Married persons were permitted by mutual consent to engage in a state of continency. Impediments to Matrimony. The discipline of the Irish church differed partially, for a short time, from that of some of the other western churches, with regard to the number and quality of impediments. To this cause, and to the peculiar mode of celebrating matrimony in Ireland, we must assign the various accusations which were brought by foreign writers against the Irish, for their neglect of the marriage contract. Prayers for the Dead. The Eucharistic Sacrifice offered for their repose. The doctrine of Purgatory must therefore have been admitted by the Irish church. Various instances adduced, from the Ecclesiastical records of Ireland, which show, that the Irish church professed the doctrine, which Catholics now hold on the invocation of Saints, on the veneration of Relicks, and the respect due to holy Images, &c. &c. CHAPTER IX. Euchological Ceremonies-Coronation of Kings-Inauguration of Knights— Dedication of Churches-Liturgy-Literature and Learned men-Semina ries Stone of Destiny-Coronation Oath. 338 Glass-Book of the ordination of Kings-Aidan anointed King by St. Columba. Knighthood an ancient institution in Ireland. After the conversion of the Irish, the emblems of Knighthood, which were used show, that in Ireland, as in Britain and in other countries, Knighthood assumed a religious character. Dedication of Churches. Canon of the Irish church ordering the dedication to be performed by a Bishop. In a newly erected church, it was usual in Ireland to deposit sacred Relicks. Liturgy-Literature of the Irish after their conversion. Knowledge of Astronomy-Of Languages. Elegance of their Latin compositions in prose and verse. Skill in Music, &c. &c.-Learned men, Virgilius, Carthagh, Scotus, Sedulius, &c. &c. Seminaries, &c. &c. APPENDIX. (A) An abstract of the controversy of the Metropolitans of Dublin and Armagh, concerning their respective claims to the Primacy.-From Harris' edition of Ware 377 (B) Letter from the Irish to the Pope complaining of the injustice of Adrian towards their country 393 (c) Letter of the Pope in reply addressed to the King of England, (D) Account of the ancient disposition of the Episcopal Sees in Ireland.— From Ware's Antiquities 393 401 (E) Names of the Bishops who governed the several Diocesses of Ireland to the commencement of the thirteenth century.-Extracted from Harris' Ware and from Lanigan 405 (F) Principal Synods held in Ireland before the thirteenth century.-Copied also from Lanigan 423 |