Moylan, Francis

Doctor Francis Moylan, to his beloved flock, The Roman Catholics of the Diocese of Cork

At a moment of such general alarm and consternation, it is a duty I owe to you, my beloved flock, to recall to your minds the sacred principles of loyalty, allegiance, and good order, that must direct your conduct on such an awful occasion. Charged as I am by that blessed Saviour (whose birth with grateful hearts we, on this day, solemnise), with the care of your souls, interested beyond expression in your temporal and eternal welfare, it is incumbent on me to exhort you to that peaceable demeanour, which must ever mark his true and faithful disciples. Loyalty to the sovereign, and respect for the constituted authorities, have been always the prominent features in the Christian character; and by patriotism and obedience to the established form of government, have our ancestors been distinguished at all times, and under circumstances, very different from these in which we have the happiness to live. For, blessed God, we are no longer strangers in our native land – no longer excluded from the benefits of the happy constitution under which we live – no longer separated by odious distinctions from our fellow subjects. To our gracious sovereign we are bound by the concurring principles of gratitude and duty, and to all our fellow-citizens by mutual interest and Christian duty.

Under these circumstances, it is obvious what line of conduct you are to adopt if the invaders, who are said to be on our coasts, should make good their landing, and attempt to penetrate into our country. To allure you to cooperation with their views, they will not fail to make specious professions that their only object is to emancipate you from the pretended tyranny under which you groan, and to restore you those rights of which they will say you are deprived.

You, my good people, whom I particularly address, who are strangers to passing occurrences, had you known in what manner they fulfilled similar promises in the unfortunate countries which, on the faith of them, they gained admittance, you would learn caution from their credulity, and distrust men who have trampled on all laws, human and divine. Germany, Flanders, Italy, Holland – to say nothing of their own, once the happiest, now the most miserable country in the world – can attest the irreparable ruin, desolation, and destruction occasioned by French fraternity.

Be not deceived by the lure of equalizing property which they will hold out to you, as they did to the above-mentioned people; for the poor, instead of getting any part of the spoil of the rich, were robbed of their own little pittance.

Be not, then, imposed on by their professions – they come only to rob, plunder, and destroy. Listen not to their agitating abettors in this country, who endeavour by every means to corrupt your principles, but join heart and hand with all the virtuous and honest members of the community who are come forward with distinguished patriotism, as well as to resist the invading foe, as to counteract the insiduous machinations of the domestic enemies and unnatural children who are seeking to bring on their native country the train of untold evils that flow from anarchy and confusion. Obey the laws that protect you in your persons and properties. Reverence the magistrate entrusted with their execution, and display your readiness to give him every assistance in your power.

Act thus, my beloved brethren, from a principle of conscience, and you will thereby ensure the favour of your God and the approbation of all good men; whereas a contrary conduct will draw down inevitable ruin on you here, and eternal misery hereafter.

I shall conclude with this simple reflection: if the sway of our impious invaders were here established, you would not, my beloved people, enjoy the comfort of celebrating this AUSPICIOUS DAY with gladness and thanksgiving, nor of uniting with ALL Christians on earth, and with the celestial spirits in heaven, in singing, 'Glory to God on high, and on earth peace to men of goodwill.'

Cork, Christmas Day, December 25, 1796.

@book{E790007,
  title 	 = {Doctor Francis Moylan, to his beloved flock, the Roman Catholics of the Diocese of Cork, Christmas Day, 1796},
  author 	 = {Francis Moylan},
  edition 	 = {1},
  pages 	 = {},
  publisher 	 = {Printed by James Haly, King's-Arms, Exchange},
  address 	 = {Cork},
  date 	 = {1796}
}
 E790007.bib