Copy letter to Fr. Juan Antonio de San Juan en Persiceto OFM Cap., Minister General, from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. enclosing ‘The Case of Fr. Albert, OSFC’

Copy letter to Fr. Juan Antonio de San Juan en Persiceto OFM Cap., Minister General of the Capuchin Franciscans, from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap., Capuchin Friary, Rochestown, Cork, referring to the decision to send him to America. He claims that ‘this decision would seem to be part of the penalisation which has been meted out to me, probably because of my activities during the period of hostilities in Dublin, last summer’. Fr. Albert encloses a statement, ‘The Case of Father Albert, O.S.F.C.’, de

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Level of description
Item
Date
12 Aug. 1923
Reference
6
Extent and medium
13 pp; Typescript copy
Scope and content
Copy letter to Fr. Juan Antonio de San Juan en Persiceto OFM Cap., Minister General of the Capuchin Franciscans, from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap., Capuchin Friary, Rochestown, Cork, referring to the decision to send him to America. He claims that ‘this decision would seem to be part of the penalisation which has been meted out to me, probably because of my activities during the period of hostilities in Dublin, last summer’. Fr. Albert encloses a statement, ‘The Case of Father Albert, O.S.F.C.’, defending his actions and declaring his ‘absolute impartiality’ during the War of Independence and later at the outbreak of Civil War hostilities in Dublin in 1922. Reference is also made in the statement to his previous pastoral work with republicans in the period from 1916. Fr. Albert declared: ‘The war of repression which England waged on Ireland since 1916, did not narrow my vision of duty. My mission as a priest was not to any one section or party, it was to “embrace all in one sentiment of charity”. … When feeling was bitterest against the “G-men” – the secret Police” – I saved one of them from death, and also facilitated the marriage of a member of the British Auxiliaries, who had won for themselves as hated a reputation as had the notorious “Black and Tans”’. Fr. Albert also emphasized his role as an intermediary between the Free State Army and irregular republicans during the attack on the Four Courts and in subsequent actions in Dublin during the initial phases of the Civil War. The copy concludes with a statement that the original document is held in the Capuchin General Archives, Rome (Annus: 1923; Prov. Hiberniae; Section 4). This copy has been made for the convenience of the Archives of the Irish Capuchin Province 'with the permission of the Most Rev. Fr. General, Fr. Benignus of S. Ilario Milanese OFM Cap.’. The certified copy is signed by Fr. Conrad O’Donovan OFM Cap., Definitor General, 28 July 1958.
Repository
Irish Capuchin Archives
Context
Irish Capuchin Archives > Capuchin Papers relating to the Irish Revolution > The Papers of Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. > Correspondence > Other Correspondence

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Full Transcript (OCR, 13 pages)

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Page 1

Copy ca/11/2/4/6 Capuchin Franciscan Monastery, Rochestown, Co.Cork. Ireland. 12. VIII. 1923. Most Rev. and dear Father General, I have learned that my Provincial- V.R. Fr. Peter - and definitors have decided to sent me to America. This decision would seem to be part of the penalisation which has been meted out to me, probably because of my activities during the period of hostilities in Dublin, last summer. before leaving for America, I consider it my duty to place before your Paternity the real facts of my priestly labours during that crisis, confident that you will feel satisfied that I acted entirely in the interests of the salvation of souls, the welfare and peace of the Community. There would probably be no necessity for my writing at all, had our Fr. Provincial granted the Right Rev. Mgr. Luzzio his wish to see me. But I regret exceeding ly hedid not see his way to grant the Delegate's request. I should like to have the attached statement fuller on certain points, documented and supported by better evidence, but as I shall explain later, this was not in my power as Fr. Provincial refused me the facilities I required for the proper presentation of my case. In placing it now before your Paternity, I wish to assure you that I do so, simply in the interests of Justice and Truth, and I feel confident that it will have your kind and careful consideration. Asking your Paternity's blessing, I remain, Most Rev. and dear Father General, Your obedient and devoted son in St. Francis, Father Albert.

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