Pontiff makes mention of the Cardinals
appointed to examine into the questions at issue between our prelate and
the Mendicant Orders. However this may be explained, we have the weighty
authority of an official document drawn up at Rome and accepted by the
Holy Father himself, for believing that the see of Armagh was honoured
by the Roman purple in the person of Richard Fitz-Ralph.

Sec. VIII. HIS CONTROVERSY WITH THE MENDICANT ORDERS.

We now approach the grave controversy which was carried on for years
between our Archbishop and the Mendicant Religious Orders. Even if the
space at our disposal permitted it, we would not be willing to enter
here into a detailed account of the dispute.

Had it been given to Archbishop Fitz-Ralph to see as clearly as history
has enabled us to see, the blessings which our Church owes to the
heroism of the religious orders in the days of persecution, far from
opposing, he would have been the first to enlarge their privileges in
Ireland. But, as it was, it is quite clear that in his opposition to
them he was influenced solely by motives of an elevated nature. The
whole struggle was simply a domestic misunderstanding, and of such
character as that one may and must feel deep respect for both parties.
We cannot do better than lay before our readers the explanation of his
object and motives offered by the Archbishop himself to Pope Innocent
VI. in person, at Avignon, 8th November, 1357.[25]

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost. Amen. 'Nolite judicare secundum faciem sed justum
judicium judicate' (_Joan._, cap. 7).

"Most Holy Father, I protest, at the very beginning of my
discourse, that I do not intend to assert or rashly to
affirm anything which may clash with Christian faith or
Catholic doctrine, and that it is not my intention to
solicit, or even to advise, the abolition or retrenchment of
the mendicant orders approved by the Church or confirmed by
the Sovereign Pontiffs. But rather, it is my desire that
these same orders be brought back to the purity of their
original institution, and in this, also, I am ever ready to
submit to the correction of your Holiness. And to approach
my subject without delay, coming to London, Most Holy
Father, about certain matters connected with my Church of
Armagh, I found a dispute going on between certain learned
doctors concerning the men