Item 4 - Canonical Visitation Report for 1943

9 pp; typescript

Canoncial visitation report compiled by Fr. Stephen Murtagh OFM Cap. for the Irish Capuchin custody in the United States. The report includes extensive commentary on the spiritual, physical and financial condition of various churches and friaries in Oregon, California, and Delaware. Father Murtagh expresses deep gratitude for a letter from Fr. James O’Mahony OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, who pledged the home province’s duty to nurture the American Custody toward maturity and successfully called for two Irish volunteers to reinforce the depleted American staff – a crucial intervention given that one-third of the custody’s priests were incapacitated. Despite these ongoing personnel shortages, the report records excellent spiritual observance and notes high praise from Archbishop Cantwell of Los Angeles and Archbishop Howard of Portland. Most notably, it records a major reconciliation in San Francisco, where Auxiliary Bishop Connally confirmed that previous administrative tensions had been completely resolved. The document also notes various personnel matters detailing the wartime reappointments of Father Cornelius to Hermiston, Father Celestine to Old Mission Santa Inés, Father Finnian to Elk, and Father Donatus to Willits.