20 - Letter from Fr. Stephen Murtagh

20

Letter from Fr. Stephen Murtagh

1 p; typescript

Letter from Fr. Stephen Murtagh OFM Cap. to Fr. Colman Griffin OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, revealing the final, unsuccessful outcome of the attempt to purchase the Sierra Madre property for a Seraphic School. Despite Archbishop Cantwell’s support, the Order decided not to accept the property under the restrictions imposed by the local Planning Commission. Fr. Stephen cites ‘very bitter antagonism on the part of local Protestants’ and fears that any future ‘scandal’ in such a hostile environment would be disastrous for the Order. He affirms that he has returned the check to Bishop O’Brien, who agreed to hold the funds until 1 April while the Order looks for a different location. Fr. Stephen laments the difficulty of raising money, noting that if they had ‘a few good preachers’, fundraising would be much easier. He also acknowledges that World War II (‘extension of war conditions’) means the Order in Ireland will be unlikely to send new teachers or staff for a long time.

ISAD(G) 2nd edition