By the Ecclesiasticall Congregation of the Archbishops , Bishops , and other Prelates .

WHereas heretofore many of the Clergy and Laity did in their actions and proceedings expresse much discontents and divisions of minde , grounding the same on the late difference of Opinion happened amongst the Prelats and the Layty , by which the Nation was not so well united , as was necessary in this time of great Danger , wherein all , as with one heart and hand ought to oppose the Common Enemy . We the Archbishops , Bishops , and Prelates of this Kingdome met motu proprie , at Clonmacknose 4 Decembris 1649 , having removed all differences among us ( not entring into the merits of diversities of former opinions ) thought good for removing of all jealousies from our owne thoughts , hearts and resolutions , and from others , who had relation , or were adherent to the former diversity of opinions , to manifest hereby to all the world that the said divisions , and jealousies grounded thereupon , are now forgotten , and forgiven among us on all sides as aforesaid . And that all and every of us , of the above Archbishops , Bishops , and Prelates are now , by the blessing of God , as one body united . And that we will , as becommeth charity and our pastoral charge stand all of us as one intire body , for the interest and immunities of the Church and of every the Prelats and Bishops thereof , and for the honour , dignity , estate , right , and possession , of all and every the said Archbishops , Bishops and other Prelates . And we will as one intire and united body forward by our counsailes , actions and devises the advancement of his Majesties Rights , and the good of this Nation in general and in particular occasions , to our power , and that none of us in any occasion whatsoever concerning the Catholicke Religion , or the good of this Kingd . of Ireland , will in any respect single himself , or be , or seem opposite to the rest of us , but will hold firme and intire in one sence as aforesaid ; hereby detesting the actions , thoughts and discourses of any that shall renew the least memory of the differences past , or give any ground of future difference among us , And do in the name of Iesus Christ exhort all our flock to the like brotherly affection and union , and to the like detestation of all past differences or jealousies as aforesaid , arising hitherto among them . And we desire that this our declaration be printed and published in each Parish by command of the respective Ordinaries . ut videant opera vestra bona & glorificent Patrem vestrum qui in Caelis est .

Datum apud Clonmacnose 13 Decemb. 1649. Signed by , Hugo Ardmachanus . Fr. Thomas Dublin . Thomas Casshel . Joan Archiep. Tuam . Fr. Boetius Elphyn . Fr. Edmundus Laghlinensis & Procurator Waterfordiensis , Emerus Clogher , Robertus Corcagiensis & Cluanensis . Nicholaus Fernensis . Edmundus Limericensis . & Procurator Episcopi . Ossoriensis . Franciscus . Aladensis . Andraeus Finiborensis . Joan. Laonensis . Fr. Oliverus Dromorensis , Fr. Antonius Clonmacnosensis . Fr. Hugo Duacensis . Fr. Arthur Duneusis , & Connerensis . Fr. Terentius Imolacensis , Fr. Patr. Arsdagh . Oliverius . Deis Procurator Episco . Medensis . Dr. Joa . Hussey Procurator Episco . Ardfertensis . Fr. Joannes Cantwell Abbas . S. Crucis . Dr. Thadeus Clery Episcop. Rapo . Procurator , Fr. Gregorius o Ferraile Provin . Ordinis Praedicatorum Provin . Hiber . Fr. Thomas Mackeyernane Provin . Fratrum Minorum Provin . Hiber . Walterus Clonfertensis Congregationis Secretar .

By the Ecclesiasticall Congregation the Kingdome of IRELAND .

WEE the Archbishops , Bishops , and other Ordianries , and Prelats of the Kingdome of Ireland , having met at Clonemacnose proprio Motu the fourth day of December in the year of our Lord God 1649. to consider of the best meanes to unite our flocks , for averting Gods wrath fallen on this nation , now bleeding under the evills , that famine , plague and warre bring after them , for effecting a present union , decreed th' ensuing Acts. 1 We order and decree as an Act of this Congregation , that all Archbishops , Bishops , and other Ordinaries within their respective Diocesses , shall injoyn publick prayers , fasting , Generall Confession , and Receiving , and other works of piety toties quoties to withdraw from this Nation Gods anger , and to render them Capable of his mercies . 2 We order and decree as an act of this Congregation , that a Declaration issue from us letting the people know how vaine it is for them to expect from the Common Enemy commanded by Cromwel by authority from the Rebells of England , any assurance of their Religion , Lives , or Fortunes . 3 We Order and decree as an Act of this Congregation , that all Pastors and Preachers be injoyned to preach amity . And for inducing the people thereunto to declare unto them the absolute necessity that is for the same , and as the cheife meanes to preserve the Nation against the extirpation & destruction of their Religion and Fortunes resolved on by the Enemy . And we hereby do manifest our detestation against al such divisions between either Provinces or Families : or between old English and old Irish , or any the English or Scots adhering to his Majesty . And we decree and order that all Ecclesiasticall persons fomenting such dissentions , or unnaturall divisions , be punished by their respective Prelats , and Superiours , Juxta gravitatem excessus , & ( si opus fuerit ) suspendantur beneficiali & Pastores a beneficio & officio ad certum tempus , Religiosi autem a Divinis juxto circumstantias delicti . Leaving the Layty offending in this kind , to be corrected by the Civil Magistrate , by Imprisonment , Fine , Banishment , or otherwise , as to them shall seem best , for plucking by the root , so odious a crime ; the execution whereof we most earnestly recommend to all those having power , and that are concerned therein , as they will answer to God for the evills that thereout may insue . 4 We Decree and Declare excommunicated , those high way robbers commonly called the Idle Boyes , that take away the goods of honest men or force men to pay them Contribution , and we likewise declare Excommunicated all such as succour or harbour them , or bestow or sell them any victualing , or buy Cattle or any other thing else from them wittingly , Likewise all Ecclesiasticall persons ministring sacraments to such robbers , or Idle boyes ; or burying them in holy grave , to be suspended ab officio & beneficio , si quod habent , by their respective superiours juxta gravitatem delicti . This our decree is to oblige within fifteen dayes after the publication thereof in the respective Dioceses .

Signed by , Hugo Ardmachanus . Fr. Thomas Dublin . Thomas Casshel . Joan. Archiep. Tuam . Fr. Boetius Elphyn . Fr. Edmundus Laghlinensis & Procurator Waterfordiensis . Emerus Clogher , Robertus Corcagiensis & Cluanensis . Nicolaus Fernensis . Edmundus Limericensis , & Procurator Episcopi Ossoriensis . Franciscus Aladensis . Andreas Finiborensis . Joan. Laonensis . Fr. Oliverus Dromorensis , Fr. Antonius Clonmacnosensis . Fr. Hugo Duacensis . Fr. Arthurus Dunensis , & Connerensis . Fr. Terentius Imolacensis . Fr. Patric . Ardagh . Oliverius Deis Procurator Episco . Medensis . Dr. Joannes Hussey Procurator Episcop. Ardfertensis . Fr. Joannes Cantwell Abbas . S , Crucis Dr. Thadeus Clery Episcop. Rapo . Procurator . Walterus Clonfertensis Congregationis Secretar .

By the Ecclesiasticall Congregation of the Kingdome of Ireland .

WE the Archbishops , Bishops , and other Ordinaries and Prelats of this Kingdome of Ireland , having met at Clonmacnose proprio motu , on the fourth day of December , in the yeare of our Lord God 1649. taking into our consideration among other the affaires then agitated and determinated for the preservation of the kingdome , that many of our flock are mislead by a vaine opinion of hopes , that the Commander in chiefe of the Rebels Forces , commonly called the Parliamentaries , would afford them good conditions , and that relying thereon they suffer utter destruction of Religion , lives , and fortunes , if not prevented . To undeceive them in that their ungrounded expectation , we do hereby declare as a most certaine truth , that the Enemies resolution is , to extirpate the Catholique religion , out of all his Majesties Dominions , as by their severall Covenants doth appear , and the practice where-ever their power doth extend , as is manifested by Cromwels Letter of the 19 of Octob. 1649 to the then Governour of Rosse . His words are : For that which you mention concerning liberty of Religion , I meddle not with any mans Conscience , but if by liberty of Conscience , you mean a liberty to exercise the masse , I judge it best to use plaine dealing , and to let you know , where the Parliament of England have power , that will not be allowed of . This tyrannicall resolution they have put in execution in Wexford , Drogheda , Rosse and elsewhere . And it is notoriously known , that by Acts of Parliament , called The Acts of Subscription , the Estates of the Inhabitants of this kingdome are sold , so as there remaineth now no more , but to put the purchasers in possession , by the power of Forces drawn out of England . And for the common sort of people , towards whom if they shew any more moderate usage at the present , it is to no other end but for their private advantage , and for the better support of their Army , intending at the close of their conquest ( if they can effect the same as God forbid ) to root out the Commons also , and plant this land with Colonies to be brought hither out of England , as witnesse the number they have already sent hence for the Tobacco Islands , and put enemies in their places .

And in effect this banishment or other destructions of the c●●mon people , must follow the resolution of extirpating the Catholique Religion , which is not to be effected without the massacring or banishment of the Catholique Inhabitants .

We cannot therefore in our duty to God , and in discharge of the care wee are obliged to have for the preservation of our flocks , but admonish them , not to delude and loose themselves with the vaine expectation of conditions to be had from that mercilesse Enemy . And consequently we beseech the Gentry , and Inhabitants , for Gods glory , and their own safety , to the uttermost of their power , to contribute with patience , to the support of the Warre against that Enemy , in hope that by the blessing of God , they may be rescued from the threatned evils , and in time be permitted to serve God in their Native Country , and enjoy their Estates , and fruits of their labours , free from such heavy levies , or any other such taxes as they beare at present : Admonishing also those that are inlisted of the Army , to prosecute constantly according to each mans charge the trust reposed in them , the opposition of the Common Enemy , in so just a Warre , as is that they have undertaken for their Religion , King , and Country , as they expect the blessing of God to fall on their actions . And that to avoyd Gods heavy judgement , and the indignation of their Native Country , they neither plunder nor oppresse the people , nor suffer any under their charge , to commit any extortion or oppression , so far as shall lye in their power to prevent .

Signed by Hugo Ardmachanus . Fr. Thomas Dublin . Thomas Casshel . Joan Archiep. Tuam . Fr. Boetius Elphyn . Fr. Edmundus Laghlinensis & Procurator Waterfordiensis , Emerus Clogher , Robertus Corcagiensis & Cluanensis . Nicelaus Fernensis . Edmundus Limericensis , & Procurator Episcopi O ▪ Joriensis . Franciscus Aladensis . Andreas Finiborensis . Joan. Laonensis . Fr. Oliverus Dromorensis , Fr. Antonius Clonmacnosensis . Fr. Hugo Duacensis . Fr. Arthurus Dunensis , & Connerensis . Fr. Terentius Imolacensis , Fr. Patric . Ardagh . Oliverus Deis procurator Episco . Medensis . Dr. Joannes Hussey procurator Episco . Ardfertensis . Fr. Joannes Cantwell Abbas . S. Crucis . Dr. Thadeus Clery Episcop. Rapo . Procurator , Walterus Clonfertensis Congregationis Secretar .

Imprimatur ,

Henry Scobel . Cler. Parliamenti . FINIS .