Letter from Joseph P. Walshe to Frederick H. Boland (Dublin)
(14/19)

The resolution and the statement of the Taoiseach on Stepinac are really splendid and they are, of course, exactly what the Holy See and the Pope have been waiting for.¹ The persecution in Europe is proceeding with diabolical determination. I earnestly hope the Bishops will be roused by the Taoiseach's motion to do a little more. Everything I find in the Irish papers indicating their views I immediately send to the 'Osservatore', in which we are now receiving excellent publicity, as you will have seen. Indeed, the clergy are expressing their astonishment at the stream of news now being published about Ireland. You know, of course, that is very largely due to the fact that Signorina Filippucci's translations are so excellent that they can be inserted without alteration. (I hope the favourable decision in her regard is coming quickly.) The 'Osservatore' of Saturday gave the fact of the passing of the resolution, but they did not want to publish the text I had given them until I could confirm it. The telegram only arrived late on Saturday and I acted upon it immediately, sending the whole material at once to Monsignors Montini and Tardini as well as to the 'Osservatore'. I also asked the former to inform the Holy Father. I expect the full account to appear in the 'Osservatore' of this evening. Nothing you can do at home to waken the people to the facts of the persecution in Eastern Europe can be too much. The Taoiseach has given a superb lead to the world. I shall report the reactions in due course.