The History of the Baltimore and Washington Foundations

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The history of the Baltimore and Wilmington Foundations. Letters sent to Wilmington Nov 15 1949 When our Fathers settled in Paradise, Harrisburg Diocese, the Superiors were unaware of the fact that they were in the territory of the Penna Prov. In due time, the Fathers of the said Province objected and refused our Father a Conmicial Foundation. When I became Superior of Paradise in 1915, I did not know of this condition. When Most Rev. Fr. Venantius Min. General same on Visitation to the other Provs, in 1917, I saw him in New York. In the course of conversation he mentioned to me that we would not be disturbed in Paradise. Likewise when Most Rev. Fr. Joseph Antony summoned me to Cumberland the question of Paradise was brought up. Fr Benedict asked me if the Fr. General spoke of Paradise and when I replied in the affirmative he said it was bad taste on the part of the Fr. General as that matter had been settled when he was Prov. Much to the surprise, however of our Provincial Fr. Sylvester the Penn Friars protested again in 1926 and had the Fr. General issue orders for us to get out. Knowing the danger of such conduct, our Fathers tried more than once to get another place outside their limits. In 1923, Fr. Peters sought a place in Boston. In 1926, Fr Thomas tried Boston again. I saw the Bishop of Fall River and later Bishop Nilan of Hartford. On April 30, 1926, Fr. Thomas and I called on the V.G. of Newark Msgr. Duffy and were successful as his letter shows Dear Fr. Brendan, I took the matter of securing a place in the Diocese for the Irish Capuchins up with the Bishop and he approved of the application in principle. I mean by that that the Bishop is willing that you should locate in the Diocese and gives his permission but has not yet determined the manner in which the Community shall come here. I think however, that this is a detail we may arrange with satisfaction to all at a later time. I shall look into the matter and have you come over so that we may arrange the details of your coming. Very sincerely yours, John A. Duffy, V.G. To our surprise Fr. Peter Prov. sent a wire from Rome during the Chapter that we could not enter Newark, date May 26, 26. Once again begins the search. Looking over the Map and consulting the boundaries of the other Provinces we settled on Delaware which evidently owing to its size was overlooked when they roped in the heart of the States On Nov. 4th 26, accompanied by Fr. J. Troy who knows the Bishop we asked Bishop FitzMaurice for a place. Though he promised he begged for time. The following May I visited him again with the same result. In the Fall of the same year in Company with Fr. Edwin Prov. he renewed his promise but still nothing settled. Feeling that we were not getting anywhere with Bishop FitzMaurice I asked Fr. Kevin Prov. when here in 29, if it would be all right to approach Archbishop Curley of Baltimore, seeing that Maryland was not mentioned in the official Decree of the Congregation he consented. The f…