Letter from Fr.Anthony O'Kelly, Min.Prov. to the beloved Sisters in Christ (same content as above letter,1698) "all nuns without exception are to be exiled to foreign lands."
The letter carries no date.
Fr. Anthony o Kelly was elected Provincial in Dublin on
25 July 1697 and went out of office at the Chapter in Louvain on 17 october 1700.
Nunneries were suppressed by a law which took force on 1 May 1698. The letter therefore
must date from early 1698.
TEXT
Fr. Antonius O Kelly Ord. Min. Strictioris Obs. S.T.Lr. nec non Almae Provinciae Hyberniae
Mnr Proalis et servus Dilectis in Christo Sororibus.
Quandoquidem in Generalibus Comitiis huius Regni, late lege sancita sit, Moniales citra
exceptionem omnes, ante proximas Calend. Maijas a regno isto, in exteras exulandas Regio-
nes, sub gravissimis poenis his, et confiscatione omnium bonorum sustentationibus harum
post praefatam diem, si vel intra sua tecta, eas, vel extra quoquomodo sustentaverint et
manutenuerint. Hinc vobis facultatem impertimur, quatenus la oblata transfretandi oppor-
tunitate ad regionem aliquam catholic vos conferatis, commendatae Superioribus Provinci a-
libus nostri Ordinis, et Abbatissis Monasteriorum, ad quae divertitis, et de loco residen-
tiae, ubi Deo et Ordini vestro famulari valeatis, charitative providere dignentur. Omnibus
interim Christifidelibus, ad quos hospites divertitits, tanquam pauperes exules charius
in Dno commendamus.
Dat. in loco nri refugii hac die
De Mandato Rev. Adm. Plis Sup
fr. Patricius Fahy S.T.L.
et Prov. Secretarius.
Fr. Anthony O Kelly, of the Order of Friars Minor of Stricter Observance, ST.L. and
Minister Provincial of the beloved Province of Ireland and servant. To the beloved Sisters
in Christ.
Since it has been passed by law in the General Parliament of this kingdom that all nuns
without exception are to be exiled to foreign lands from this kingdom, before the beginning
of next May, under these very grave penalties, and with the confiscation of all goods
if anyone should within their houses or outside in any way maintain and uphold them (the
nuns) by sustenance after the aforesaid, day. Hence we grant you the faculty of betaking
yourselves at the first opportunity/to some Catholic land, being commended to the Pro-
vincial Superiors of our order and the Abbesses of Monasteries to which you go, that they
may deign to charitably provide for you concerning a place of residence, where you may be
able to serve Cod and your order. Meanwhile, we commend you dearly in the Lord as poor
exiles to ali the faithful to whom you go as guests.
Given in our place of refuge on this day
By mandate of Very Rev. Provincial Superior/Fr. Anthony o kelly
fr. Patrick Fahy S.T.L.
and Secretary of the Province
