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.

Handwritten letter to +McQuaid from + James Staunton, Ferns. His first reading of the Health Bill did not disclose to him anything that calls for an Episcopal statement. He takes it that the new Bill withdraws into the Mother and Child section of the 1947 Act.

Letter from +Staunton to +McQuaid thanking him for the cheque for £198.0.3 being part of the bequest of James Hyland.

Letter from +Staunton to +McQuaid regarding the ‘Bird’s Nest’ in Gorey. He knows the children and staff are in Dublin but is not sure of where exactly. As the children involved come from all over Ireland, he feels all the Bishops should be informed. Annotated by +McQuaid.

Letter from +Staunton to +McQuaid regarding a Novena for the Silver Jubilee of Blessed Oliver Plunkett’s beatification. This has been approved by the Standing Committee of the Hierarchy. 1 item

Letter from +Staunton to +McQuaid regarding the forthcoming Bishop’s meeting. There will be discussion on the Department of Education’s proposal to raise the school leaving age. He also offers a priest to the Dublin diocese for one year. Annotated by +McQuaid. 1 item

Handwritten letter to +McQuaid from + Staunton. He received a telephone call from the General Manager of The Irish News Agency asking if a statement would be issued by the Bishops ‘in view of the strong things that were being said.’ He replied that any such statement would come from +McQuaid. Onesided editorial in The Irish Times.

Copy of typed letter to + D’Alton from +McQuaid. + Browne has completely surprised by publishing the correspondence without anybody’s permission. The Taoiseach has been obliged to follow up. The Irish News Agency, of Mr. McBride’s creation, had the impertinence to ask + Staunton, and then +McQuaid, without informing +McQuaid of the request from + Staunton, to write a statement of 1,000 words for the foreign press ‘presenting the case of the Irish Hierarchy on the Mother and Child issue.’

Letter from +Staunton to +McQuaid inviting him to the centenary celebrations in the Church of the Assumption, Wexford. He gives a detailed history of the church and its origins. Annotated by +McQuaid. 1 item

Letter from +Staunton to +McQuaid thanking him for the copy of the pastoral. He also seeks advice on investments outside of the National Loan.