Two copies of a typed letter to Dr. Browne from John A. Costello. It is clear from +McQuaid’s letter to you, 8th March, 1951, that the objections put forward on the occasion of your interview with him, and the bishops of Ferns and Galway on 11th October last were ‘unresolved either then or later.’ His action since he received the letter from the bishop of Ferns on the 10th October last has been entirely actuated by what he conceived to be a friendly desire to help a colleague.

Three copies of a typed letter to the Taoiseach, Mr. Costello, from + James Staunton, Bishop of Ferns, Secretary to the Hierarchy, regarding the Mother and Child health service. They recognize that the proposals are motivated by the sincere desire to improve public health, but the Hierarchy must consider whether the proposals are in accordance with Catholic moral teaching. The following points were mentioned: the powers taken by the State are in direct opposition to the rights of the family; the right to provide for the health of children belongs to parents, not the State; it is not sound policy to impose a state medical service on the whole community; the right to provide for the physical education of children belongs to the family; gynecological care may be interpreted to include provision for birth limitation and abortion; the proposed service destroys the confidential relation between the doctor and patient.