Mr. Walter Walsh on Portuguese Monks and Nuns.—
“If these men and women were in reality what their English sympathisers would have us believe, we may be quite sure that the Portuguese would not now turn against them. These monks and nuns have not been ministering angels amongst the people, for if they had been charitable to the poor and sick, the people would now have been on their side, and the Government would not have dared to expel them. It is very evident that the misconduct of these people is the real cause of the Revolution. The unfortunate thing for England is that, while the banishment of these so-called religious orders will undoubtedly benefit Portugal, it may inflict serious injury on this country, should these expelled undesirables be dumped upon our shores. They cannot possibly do us any good, and will certainly do a great deal of harm.”
Portugal and the Church of Rome.—
On the 2nd of August, 1909, a great demonstration took place in Lisbon. All the shops and factories were closed at mid-day in order that the people might manifest their interest in an important petition which was being presented to Parliament. The petitioners prayed for the expulsion of the Jesuits, and the removal of all distinctions between Protestants and Roman Catholics in the cemeteries, and the repeal of Article 30 of the Code which forbids all religious work not sanctioned by Rome. The procession numbered about a hundred thousand persons. The majority in the Cortes (the Portuguese House of Commons) refused even to consider the petition, and the revolution which turned Portugal into a Republic is the answer of the Portuguese to their legislators. There can be very little doubt that hatred to Rome’s overbearing and aggressive methods is, to a great extent, the explanation of the great upheaval that has recently taken place in Portugal.
The New Republic and Monastic Orders.—
One of the first acts of the new Republic was to banish all the Jesuits and foreign members of religious orders from Portugal. Portuguese monks and nuns, if they leave their orders, may go to their families, but those who do not give up their order are to quit the country. Portugal is evidently heartily tired of these institutions when she is adopting such drastic measures towards their inmates. In all likelihood the banished monks and nuns will find a home in England. We are likely soon to be overrun with these Roman Catholic outcasts that have been banished from their own countries by their co-religionists. It ought to be the prayer of God’s people that the present crisis in Portugal might be overruled for the admittance of the pure gospel of Jesus Christ. Portugal is sadly in need of hearing the glad tidings of great joy that shall be for the good of nations.