Dear Editor,

I have been following the correspondence in your paper regarding the Rev. Mr Egan’s insults towards the Catholic traders of Limerick. While I agree with your correspondent, “Belfast Man,” that such baseless calumny and name-calling should be dismissed, I am somewhat surprised that such a letter would come from a Belfast Catholic, considering the rampant bigotry that exists in that city.

Your correspondent seems to hold an overly optimistic view of religious tolerance in Belfast, where it appears to be predominantly one-sided in favour of Catholics. Can a Catholic priest walk through Shankill Road or Sandy Row in broad daylight without being publicly insulted? Do they not run the risk of facing rough treatment, if not the actual danger to their lives? Can a Catholic labourer work on the Queen’s Island around the twelfth of July without being thrown into the Lagan by Orangemen? And does a Catholic young man have any chance of fair promotion in a Protestant household in Belfast?

In Limerick, where Catholics are proportionally more numerous compared to Protestants than in Belfast, a Protestant clergyman can walk through the most impoverished areas without insult. We had the testimony of a respected Limerick Protestant clergyman attesting to this. Catholics freely engage in business with Protestants, and yet they are told that they are drawn to Protestant honesty while repelled by their fellow Catholics by their alleged dishonesty.

Does Mr Egan truly speak for all the Protestants in Limerick? I implore any Protestant with the kindness or courage to answer this question. If Mr Egan only represents the Methodists, it should be easy to identify these honest Methodists. Let Mr Egan disclose the names of the traders he recommends. We are all aware of the Wellesley Chapel on George Street, where these honest Methodists gather for worship. If Mr Egan fails to provide the names, perhaps someone should stand near the Wellesley Chapel on Sunday and find out for themselves who these honest traders of Limerick are.

“Belfast Man” is wise in stating that virtue is not the monopoly of any religion. According to a recent article in a widely circulated English newspaper, honesty is an area in which Methodists appear to be lacking. The article highlights cases of swindling by individuals who publicly profess their religion, including Jabez Balbour, a Wesleyan Methodist, who admitted to fraud amounting to £3,000. It seems the Wesleyan Methodists ought to clean up their own house before accusing others.

I urge Mr Egan to reflect on this and to read it to his honest Methodists on Sunday, before criticizing the Church of Rome. Alternatively, if Mr Egan, in his humility, is unwilling to name the honest traders within his own flock, would he, in the spirit of charity and for the greater good, at least point out some of the “dishonest” Catholic traders? Come to our rescue and save us from these swindlers.

Contrary to what “Belfast Man” may say, it is clear that remaining silent in the face of insults, particularly when it involves baseless accusations against the honesty of Catholic traders, is no longer an option. It is time for Catholics to rise up and repel such charges. A kind spirit of harmony between Catholics and Protestants has existed in Limerick, and it is disheartening to see individuals like Mr Egan undermining that spirit among us.

Yours truly,
A Limerick Resident

Limerick Echo – Tuesday 29 November 1904