Pope Leo XIII, Etsi Cunctas, On the Church in Ireland, Dec. 21, 1888: “To the Bishops of Ireland, Venerable Brothers, Although all and every part of the Lord’s flock entrusted to our care we embrace with deep affection and love, nevertheless, our concern and thoughts go out above all to those we see suffering misfortune... We, accordingly, have always been moved with exceptional sympathy and the most kindly consideration for the Catholics of Ireland so violently and constantly tried by long and lasting hardships. Their remarkable steadfastness in patient endurance has always aroused our deepest esteem, for no tribulation has ever been able to destroy or diminish the faith that is the gift of their fathers... 4. We are in no doubt that it is more and more evident that our fatherly love for the Irish has never changed... 5. We pray for every best gift of heavenly grace for you, venerable brother, clergy and the faithful whom you serve and the whole of Ireland, and lovingly impart our Apostolic Blessing.”