asked the Minister for External Affairs whether he will express the abhorrence of the Irish people at the sentences of death and imprisonment passed by the Bulgarian court on Bishop Bossilikoff and a number of clergy and whether he has made a protest to the Bulgarian Government or proposes to do so.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bulgarian Court's Sentences on Ecclesiastics.
I learned with the deepest concern of the sentences of death passed by the Communist court in Sofia on the Most Reverend Dr. Bossilikoff and three priests, as well as the sentences of imprisonment on 24 other ecclesiastics.
I have given the fullest consideration to the question of making an official protest to the Bulgarian Government but have decided, in present circumstances, not to do so directly.
The Irish people of all denominations are convinced, in the words of the resolution passed unanimously by Dáil Éireann on 21st November, 1946, that—
Recognition of the sovereignty of God and the moral law is the fundamental basis of any just and stable world order, and that freedom to worship God truly, in the manner He Himself has ordained, is the inalienable right of man, respect for which is essential to the preservation of peace among the nations.
Irishmen of all classes and creeds hope and pray that wiser counsels will prevail in the case of the cruel sentences passed on the Bishop of Nicopoli and his clergy, that the sentences will be remitted and complete freedom of religion restored to the Bulgarian people.
I wonder would the Minister consider communicating to Governments with whom we have diplomatic relations asking them to make representations in the sense indicated by the Minister in his reply?
The Minister for External Affairs has given a good deal of consideration to this matter and thinks that, taking everything into consideration, it is better——
To do nothing.
—not to take action such as is suggested by the Deputy.
Is any action of any kind being taken?
As the Deputy is probably aware, he has communicated his views and the views of the Government of the Irish people to the Vatican.
I am very glad that he has, but would the Minister not consider it desirable to convey these views to other States with whom we have diplomatic relations and who might be in a position to get something done?