A photograph of Fr. Kevin Moynihan OFM Cap.
Letters from Fr. Callistus Lopinot OFM Cap. (1876-1966), a Capuchin friar from Geispolsheim, Germany, Capuchin General Curia, Vice-Secretary of the Missions, to Fr. Kevin Moynihan OFM Cap. and Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap., Provincial Ministers, re the appointment of a Regular Superior for the Irish mission in Northern Rhodesia.
Telegram from Fr. Brendan O’Callaghan OFM Cap. to Fr. Kevin Moynihan OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, regarding the Capuchin Order’s expansion in Delaware. The text states, ‘Bishop grants Wilmington residence house / writing later’.
Sans titreLetter from Fr. Brendan O’Callaghan OFM Cap. to Fr. Kevin Moynihan, Provincial Minister, enclosing the Bishop of Wilmington’s official permission letters. Father Brendan notes that local diocesan priests strongly opposed their arrival due to the poverty and small size of the diocese, prompting a restrictive clause in the agreement to appease them. He explains that while the permission officially allows them to work and seek alms, the order has never used the traditional ‘Quest’ system in America. Although several houses have been scouted in Wilmington, no property has been purchased yet; however, Father Brendan highlights Wilmington’s ideal location for mission work due to its close proximity to Philadelphia and New York.
Sans titreDraft letter from Fr. Brendan O’Callaghan OFM Cap. to Fr. Kevin Moynihan, Provincial Minister, discussing a typed copy of Bishop Fitzmaurice’s recent letter. Father Brendan notes that Father Joseph Fenelon typed up the copy and mentions that he has also sent a copy to Father Sylvester Mulligan. He requests that the Provincial send ‘Fr. Edward or Canice or both’ to secure Bishop Fitzmaurice’s signature on an official form, lamenting that a short form previously supplied by Father Sylvester has been misplaced. Father Brendan notes that the local real estate agent must be wondering why they have not closed the deal yet, and he urges the Provincial for a final word so they can settle on the house purchase. He concludes by expressing regret that the Provincial has been so heavily bothered by the simultaneous issues with the Baltimore and Wilmington properties.
Sans titreLetter from Fr. Sylvester Mulligan OFM Cap. to Fr. Kevin Moynihan OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, addressing the ongoing dispute regarding the Bishop of Wilmington’s restrictive alms clause. Father Sylvester reports that the Definitory met and decided the Father Kevin may accept the condition restricting their right to quest (beg for alms), as Father Brendan confirmed the friars can sustain themselves through preaching. However, he warns that inserting these specific local conditions into the official petition to the Sacred Congregation could cause Rome to refuse the ‘Beneplacitum’ (papal approval), as it might look like a surrender of Capuchin rights. To resolve this, Father Sylvester provides a short, simple Latin template for the bishop to sign, which grants standard entry permission without listing local restrictions.
Sans titrePhotograph of Capuchin friars at the Provincial Chapter in St. Mary of the Angels, Church Street, Dublin.
Photograph of Capuchin friars at the Provincial Chapter in St. Mary of the Angels, Church Street, Dublin.
Letters from Bishop Bernard Cornelius O’Riley (1868-1956), Vicar Apostolic of the Cape of Good Hope, Western District, and Fr. John Morris, editor of the Southern Cross, to Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap., Fr. Kevin Moynihan OFM Cap., Fr. James O’Mahony OFM Cap., Provincial Ministers, and Fr. Kieran O’Callaghan OFM Cap., Provincial Secretary, regarding the prospects for establishing Irish Capuchin missionary foundations in the Athlone, Parow and Langa parishes in the Cape Province, South Africa. Fr. John Morris wrote: ‘There are only about thirty priests in the whole vicariate. This number includes three Jesuits, two Redemptorists, and some six Salesians. … Alas, there are no Franciscans in South Africa. You will therefore be real pioneers’ (16 May 1927). The Bishop wrote: ‘There are pagans and heathens in abundance in my Vicariate which covers some 17,000 sq. miles and I can assure there is endless scope in the Vicariate for the missionary efforts of your good Fathers’ (30 Mar. 1928). Later, he affirmed that the ‘poor people of “Athlone” (which is the name of the place of your first mission in South Africa) are nearly all coloured, a good simple lot, who have been working hard for some months past in their spare time to build with their own hands school-rooms’ (6 Dec. 1928). Reference is also made to the provision of a school for coloured children at Claremont (16 Feb. 1931) and to the financial state of the Vicariate (20 July 1932). The file includes a memorandum and agreement for sale from Bishop O’Riley to the Irish Capuchins of sites at Claremont, at Athlone, and at Parow (1 Nov. 1931), and a letter from Fr. John Morris requesting the Irish Capuchins supply a priest for the Philippi mission in the Vicariate (17 Mar. 1950).
Copy letter from the Most Rev. Herbert B. Kennedy, Dean of Christ Church, Corrig Castle, Kingstown, County Dublin, to Fr. Matthew O’Connor OFM Cap. affirming that he pays a yearly rent of £12 5s 5d for two alms houses (formerly called the ‘Munster Arms’) to the Pack Estate. The file includes a letter from Fr. Kevin Moynihan OFM Cap. stating he is ‘writing to the Rev. Mr. Kennedy saying that at present, owing to the state of affairs, we are not anxious to invest in house property. I take it that owing to the same reason that he is so anxious to part with it’ (11 Jan. 1921). Rev. Kennedy later wrote to Nicholas Shorthall, solicitor, referring to negotiations to sell the head rent on two houses on Walkin Street, which he holds from the Pack estate, and which are currently leased to the Capuchin friars. With income tax demands in respect of said properties.