In 1828 was £4,000 (now estimated at about £300,000) too great a sum to give to priests to say prayers to free the soul of an old woman so she could move through purgatory quickly? The court and the residual beneficiary of her will thought it was. Was this a money-making venture ?
‘Liberation from purgatory.– A case was argued last week, in the Exchequer Court, Dublin, in which the residuary legatee contested a bequest of four thousand pounds, left by an old lady to Priests to say masses for her, in order to rescue “her poor miserable soul” from the torments of purgatory. Mr. Cooper (counsel for the legatee) contended that this was an enormous sum to have appropriated to such a purpose. The poor old woman must have been priest-ridden when she made such a bequest. In such a case it was competent to the Court to apportion some reasonable sum ; but four thousand pounds was beyond all reason. The Chief Baron–How much do you think would bring her out of purgatory, Mr. Cooper ? Mr. Cooper–I think 10l. would be quite enough to relieve so old a woman, my Lord. Mr. O’Loughlin–I am sure the balance would not be enough to take Mr. Cooper out of purgatory, if he were there. (Laughter.) The Court–We will refer it to the Master to determine how much he may think necessary for her relief in purgatory ; and on the report we will be better able to ascertain what ought to be done. Mr. O’Loughlin–Yes, my Lord ; but recollect that this poor woman’s soul is in the meantime suffering all torments. (Great Laughter.) I am sure your Lordship will not willingly inflict pain by delay, nor diminish the sum of four thousand pounds. This lady must have been the best judge of her own sins, and she thought four thousand pounds necessary to rescue her from purgatory.–The Court decided that the matter should go before the Master first.’
Stamford Mercury, 30th May, 1828.