Letter from Seán Murphy to Frederick H. Boland (Dublin)
(118/21) (71/50)

I have the honour to send you herewith a copy of a letter which I have received from the Secretary General of the Friends of St. Colomban¹ which is self-explanatory.

I completely endorse what the Secretary General says: no official invitations have been issued. The secretariat are very worried and upset by the Archbishop's criticism which they regard as completely unjustified.

They have asked me at a personal interview to ask the Minister for External Affairs to use his influence with the Archbishop to correct this misunderstanding. As the Minister knows M. Schuman is very interested in these celebrations both religious and historical, though I gather from the secretariat, he has not been very helpful. Be that as it may I think it would be very unfortunate if Ireland was not properly and fully represented at these celebrations in July next. I would be glad to know the result of any action the Minister may decide to take in this matter.

I enclose herewith prospectus regarding the historical Congress.