asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defensive Measures whether the Censor has ordered the deletion of any part of the text to be published in the Press or through the Cinema in Éire of (1) any pronouncement of His Holiness Pope Pius XII, (2) any semi-official Vatican statement published origínally in the Osservatore Romano, (3) Lenten Pastoral of any Bishop in Éire, and, if so, why.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Deletions by Censor.
In reply to the first part of the question, no deletion was made from any pronouncement of His Holiness Pope Pius XII.
In regard to the second part of the question, portion of a statement quoted by the Associated Press as having appeared in the Osservatore Romano was deleted. This particular portion was deleted because it referred by way of refutation to certain belligerent propaganda suggesting certain sympathies on the part of the Holy Father which, in fact, had not been allowed to be published here.
In regard to the third part of the question, portion of the text of the recent Lenten Pastoral of one Bishop was deleted on the grounds that its publication in the Press would have been a contravention of a general direction given in pursuance of the Emergency Powers (No. 5) Order, 1939.
Is the Minister aware that the words spoken by His Holiness the Pope in condemnation of the outrages perpetrated by the German Government in Poland were struck out of a script which was to be used in a talking picture which was displayed in cinemas in this city, and further, would the Minister say, in answer to the last part of my question, why it was contrary to public policy to permit a Bishop to address these words to his own congregation——
Quotations from speeches or letters may not be made at Question time.
A paragraph has been struck out from the Pastoral of a Bishop addressed to his people in this country. I submit that, when I ask why it has been struck out and the Minister says it conflicted with the general regulation, I should have the right to ask the Minister here whether it is the intention of the civil power in this State to restrict Bishops or clergymen of any Christian denomination from addressing their congregations on subjects of faith and morals.
That is quite a separate question.
I say these words related to a matter of faith and morals and that it was not part of the intention of this Legislature to give the civil Government in this State the power of preventing a clergyman from addressing his flock on this subject and I am asking leave to quote the words that have been struck out. They are the subject matter of the question. May I ask why certain words were deleted?
Quotation from Pastoral letters as from speeches or newspapers is not permissible at Question time.
Without quoting, may I ask, are these words such words as the Minister thinks should properly be struck out——
The Deputy may not quote.
I will not quote, but I ask are these words which the Minister thinks——
The Deputy may not by subterfuge read the words or paragraphs in question.
If I raise the matter on the adjournment will I be allowed?
I will consider the matter.
I give notice that I will raise the matter on the adjournment.