The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

800 THE FAITH OF OUR FATHERS.cities, rendered similar protectionto those who soughtsafety in their homes.Thus we see that the Church slept in tranquilignorance of the stormy scene until she was arousedto a knowledge of the tempest by the sudden uproarit created. And like her divine Spouse on thetroubled waters, she presents herself only to say tothem: u Peace, be still."III.I am asked : Must you not admit that Mary, Queenof England, persecuted the Protestants ofthe Britishrealm f I ask this question in reply How w it that:Catholics are persistently reproached for the persecutionsunder Mary s reign, while scarcely a voice is raised incondemnation of the legalized fines, confiscations,anddeaths inflicted on the Catholics of Great Britain andIreland for three hundred years, fromthe establishment of the church of England, in 1534, to the time ofthe Catholic emancipation?Elizabeth s hands weresteeped in the blood of Catholics, Puritans, and Anabaptists. Why are these cruelties suppressed orglossed over, while those of Maryform the burden of every nursery tale ? Is it because persecution becomes justicewhen Catholics happen to bethe victims ;or is it because they are expected, fromlong usage, to be insensible to torture ?If we weigh in the scales of impartial justice thereigns of both sisters, we shall be compelled to bringa far more severe verdict against Elizabeth.