Correspondence (21 items) relating to the organization of a meeting between the Hierarchy and the Government to allow the Hierarchy the opportunity to express their views on the legislation amending the licensing laws. The correspondents are + Fergus, Taoiseach de Valera, Cardinal D’Alton, Minister for Justice Oscar Traynor, +McQuaid, + Lucey, + Browne, + Conway, Francis Lenny.

Letter from Fr. Maurice Browne, P.P., to +McQuaid referring to the activities carried out in the C.Y.M.S hall, and the further needs of parishioners. Annotated by +McQuaid.

Letter from +Dunne to +McQuaid stating that Mgr. Browne is seeking permission to attend the opening of an opera at the Gaiety Theatre. He would be representing the Arts Council. Annotated by +McQuaid.

Letter from +Browne to +McQuaid thanking him for the information on the Irish Martyrs. He also thanks him for his intervention in UCG. 1 item

Copy letter from +McQuaid to +Browne stating he should have awaited a response from Dublin before petitioning the Holy See. The matter has been referred back to him by Mgr. Montini. He has responded stating Dublin should make the petition. He has heard nothing further.

Typed letter to +McQuaid from Browne & Nolan informing him that Dr. Hamill has been asked to undertake the duties of Editor on the Irish Ecclesiastical Record.

Copy letter from +McQuaid to +Browne possibly referring to the sale of unsuitable books. 1 item

Copy of a typed letter to Dr. Browne from John A. Costello. Dr. Browne’s letter to the IMA has been brought to his attention. He has directed the Information Bureau not to issue it. The Scheme as outlined will not acceptable to the Government until the reservations made by the Hierarchy are satisfactorily settled.

Two copies of typed letter to the Taoiseach [from Dr. Browne]. He thought it unnecessary to point out that it has been his concern that the Mother and Child Scheme contained nothing contrary to Catholic moral teaching. As a Catholic he will accept any pronouncements from the Hierarchy regarding Catholic moral teaching in reference to this matter. He is not satisfied that the Hierarchy are opposed to the Scheme on grounds of Faith and Morals. Regarding His Grace and Their Lordships not being satisfied after the meeting of 11th October, you allowed the Scheme to develop without ever suggesting that the objections were still unresolved. In your interview with the IMA, 12th December, 1950, there was no suggestion of any difficulty other than those raised by the IMA.

Two typed copies of a letter to Dr. Browne from John A. Costello. Regarding Dr. Browne’s letter of the 19th March, the answers to the queries are substantially contained in his letter of the 15th. On 10th October 1950 the Hierarchy wrote, informing him that ‘In their opinion the powers taken by the State in the proposed Mother and Child Health Service are in direct opposition to the rights of the family and of the individual.’ As the Hierarchy speaks of the dangers inherent in the proposals he cannot understand Dr. Browne’s opinion that he had satisfied the bishops. This is borne out by +McQuaid’s letter of 8th March. The withholding of approval for the scheme relates to the resolution of the Hierarchy’s objections.