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

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 ‘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 thanking him for the cheque for £198.0.3 being part of the bequest of James Hyland.

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.

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.

Letter from Fr. N.L. Staunton, secretary to Fr. James Ardle MacMahon stating he has forwarded the correspondence to All Hallows College. Durban

Letter from +Staunton to +McQuaid regarding the new system of ‘…socialised medicine’ which the Minister is trying to introduce. He applauds the work of +McQuaid in fighting this.

Letter from +Staunton to +McQuaid regarding a cheque for £10,000 which was sent to he late Cardinal from the Irish Red Cross. 1 item

Typed letter to + James Staunton, Ferns, from Miceal Breathnach, informing him that a copy of this letter and memorandum is being sent to +McQuaid and Canon McNamara of the Catholic School Managers.