Letter from Fr. Stephen Murtagh
Letter from Fr. Stephen Murtagh OFM Cap. to Fr. Colman Griffin OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, referring to negotiations with the local Archdiocese regarding an expansion project for the school in Flintridge, California. Father Stephen expresses anxiety (‘keeping my fingers crossed’) regarding the Archbishop’s reaction to their latest proposal. He notes that while the Archbishop reportedly blocked the ‘Irish’ Carmelites from building a high school, he and his Council appear to favour the Capuchin
Details
- Level of description
- Item
- Date
- 28 May 1954
- Reference
- 46
- Extent and medium
- 1 p.; typescript
- Scope and content
- Letter from Fr. Stephen Murtagh OFM Cap. to Fr. Colman Griffin OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, referring to negotiations with the local Archdiocese regarding an expansion project for the school in Flintridge, California. Father Stephen expresses anxiety (‘keeping my fingers crossed’) regarding the Archbishop’s reaction to their latest proposal. He notes that while the Archbishop reportedly blocked the ‘Irish’ Carmelites from building a high school, he and his Council appear to favour the Capuchins’ expansion. He highlights his past financial successes including saving the Watts parish from bankruptcy during the Great Depression.
- Repository
- Irish Capuchin Archives
- Context
- Irish Capuchin Archives > Papers of the Irish Capuchin Mission in the United States > Missionary Correspondence > Correspondence of Fr. Stephen Murtagh
Annotations
Rights
- Rights
- Copyright held by the respective institution. Contact the archive for reproduction permissions.
Related Items
Extracted Mentions
People, places, and terms identified via handwriting recognition and named entity recognition.
Sample passages
- I would add that during the depression I saved the Watts parish from bankruptcy, owing to a debt incurred by my predecessor. I built a school and a convent here in 1951. These buil…
- I am deeply grateful for your letter with enclosures received today. I do not think the matter could be stated more clearly. However, as we say here, I am now "keeping my fingers c…
- I am deeply grateful for your letter with enclosures received today. I do not think the matter could be stated more clearly. However, as we say here, I am now "keeping my fingers c…
Full Transcript (OCR, 1 pages)
Machine-generated OCR transcript. Handwritten material may contain recognition errors.
Page 1
Saint Francis of Azzizi 1541 GOLDEN GATE AVENUE LOS ANGELES 26, CALIF. PHONE OLYMPIA 1305 6-28-54 Very Rev. Father Provincial, O.F.M.Cap. Capuchin Franciscan Friary Church Street Dublin, Ireland. My dear Father Colman: I am deeply grateful for your letter with enclosures received today. I do not think the matter could be stated more clearly. However, as we say here, I am now "keeping my fingers crossed". I fear that not even this clear statement will satisfy his Eminence. After a flare up in September 1952, during which I understood him to be requesting among other things, a statement as to my authority I quoted practically verbatim the May 15, 1937 decree. Now we must only await developments. I am told he made it impossible for the Irish (called) Carmelites to build a high school. However as I said he and the entire Council favor our expansion. For the sake of the Order I have to be very humble and very patient. I will let you know at once if and when I hear from him. As regards financing the project, I am perfectly confident of our ability to do so. It has always been my policy never to go into anything too deeply. We have money on hand and every house has a substantial bank balance. I would add that during the depression I saved the Watts parish from bankruptcy, owing to a debt incurred by my predecessor. I built a school and a convent here in 1951. These buildings are today free of debt. And as I said in my letter to the Cardinal, a less ambitious programme such as Bishop Manning suggests, would be perfectly acceptable to us. Again my most sincerethanks. Ever obediently and cordially yours, Father Stephen Father Stephen, O.F.M.Cap.