Stuk 37 - Letter from Fr. Stephen Murtagh

3 pp; typescript

Letter from Fr. Stephen Murtagh OFM Cap. to Fr. Colman Griffin OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, reporting on the sudden death of Fr. Donatus Ahern OFM Cap. in Elk, California. He was found dead in his bed, apparently having passed away in his sleep after eating dinner and washing dishes. The coroner attributed the cause to coronary thrombosis. The letter highlights the deaths of Fr. Anthony Delaney (two years prior) and Fr. Donatus, both found dead in Elk. The author suggests this ‘tragedy’ might be avoided if the priest in charge were permitted to live in Fort Bragg with other friars rather than alone.

A significant portion of the letter addresses tensions regarding vacation regulations for friars. The author mentions complaints about certain friars overstaying their allotted three-month leave, specifically citing one who spent nearly six months in Ireland. Father Stephen notes that because their Custody is not autonomous, he felt he lacked the authority to set return dates for those on leave without official notice from the Father General. He reports a stern message from Archbishop Mitty stating he would ‘never again allow certain friars (Fathers Leopold and Richard) to work in the archdiocese.