Letter from +Gerald O’Hara to +McQuaid regarding the appointment of priests to form part of an International Secretariat for the ‘Apostolate of the Sea’ by the Sacred Consistorial Congregation. Their duty will be to maintain contact with the various branches of the Apostolate of the Sea. The Irish Hierarchy are asked to appoint a priest and a brief biography is to be sent to the Holy See.

Letter from +Gerald O’Hara to +McQuaid regarding the microfilming of parish registers by the National Library of Ireland.

Letter from +O’Hara to +McQuaid informing him that Rev. Edward Killion, C.S.S.R. of the Vatican Migration Bureau in Geneva, will visit Ireland. He is coming here at the request of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for the purpose of obtaining material assistance from the government and volunteer agencies.

Copy letter from +McQuaid to +O’Hara in relation to the instruction of the Holy Office on Sacred Art. He mentions his refusal to sanction a monument of Christ the King by O’Connor as it is contrary to traditional concepts and treatment of Christ in Christian art. This has caused inconvenience to the civil authorities. He has, up until now, avoided the unusual and ultra-modern in both art and architecture.

Letter from +O’Hara to +McQuaid thanking him for the cheque for £374.15.0. This represents an offering for the celebration of 1475 masses and is being made available to the Holy Father for his personal distribution.

Letter from +O’Hara to +McQuaid thanking him for the copies of the ‘Appeal’ that is addressed to the Diocese in favour of the Catholic Social Service Conference. He is deeply impressed by the work carried out by the Conference and feels that the Youth Council merit special commendation. He enclosed a small personal contribution.

Letter from +O’Hara to +McQuaid regarding the Imprimatur for the new Legion of Mary handbook. He agrees that the handbook ‘…should not involve itself in purely speculative questions and should not contain forthright statements on controversial aspects of Mariology’. He also thanks him for a copy of the letter which will be forwarded to Cardinal Montini.

Letter from +O’Hara to +McQuaid stating that is customary to have Midnight Mass in the Chapel of each Nunciature for members of the Diplomatic Corps at Christmas. His chapel is too small and wishes to use the Catholic University Church. Admission will be by invitation only and the numbers invited will be small. Annotated by +McQuaid who agrees with the request and has informed Archdeacon Sherwin.

Letter from +O’Hara to +McQuaid thanking him for making the Catholic University Church available for Midnight Mass and for informing Archdeacon Sherwin.

Note regarding telephone call from +O’Hara to +McQuaid referring to a project visit to Ireland by Rev. Edward Lodge Curran. The Nuncio is seeking the immediate advice of the Irish Bishops in relation to this. Fr. Lodge Curran has been identified with the Ancient Order of Hibernians in the United States and that he has spoken out against Mr. F.D. Roosevelt. The American Hierarchy disapprove of his remarks and actions. Also handwritten reply from +McQuaid stating that Fr. Lodge Curran has spoken, without his permission, in the Diocese on previous occasions. He adds a great deal depends on the time of the visit and on the preparatory propaganda. He will object to Fr. Lodge Curran making any public statements as he believes Lodge Curran has nothing useful to say in relation to Partition. He feels a visit by Fr. Lodge Curran will be harmful. 2 items;