Letter from Seán MacBride to Joseph P. Walshe (Holy See)

My dear Joe,
A thousand apologies for not having replied to your letters; they have been extremely useful and just the kind of line I required in this present difficulty. I have been extremely busy, as things have been a little bit hectic here for the last two or three months.

I enclose a minute which I have prepared¹ setting out the various events in relation to the proposal to obtain an agrément for Most Reverend Dr. Felici, together with copies of the letters which have passed.

Until I see the Primate after the October meeting of the Hierarchy I do not propose to bring the matter forward to the Government. I think that it might be well if you could convey unofficially to the Secretariat the very keen disappointment which has been felt in Government circles at the appointment of an Italian Prelate. So far all this should be done unofficially. If a suitable opportunity offers and if, in your judgment, it is wise to do so, you could say that it appears to you very much as if the Irish Government were going to refuse the agrément. Use your own judgment, however, as to whether you should go so far.

I have to go to Paris on Wednesday and shall probably be away for a week or ten days. In the meanwhile use your own judgment. I should like to have from you when I return your considered opinion as to:

• Our chances of persuading the Secretariat not to persist in seeking an agrément for Most Reverend Dr. Felici.
• The likely course of events if we decline to give agrément.
• The reason, if any, that should be given if we refuse our agrément.

Re External Relations Act. The British have not been taking to its repeal very kindly and there are signs of a cold war emanating from the C.R.O. However, I think that we should survive this and the Act will be repealed as soon as the Dáil re-assembles. Any information or gossip which you may be able to obtain from Commonwealth representatives would be of value. The C.R.O. will, no doubt, seek to get pressure put on by Canada and Australia.