Letter from Seán Ronan to Donal Scully (New York)
(Personal)

Dear Donal,
In my letter of the 4th May¹ regarding the adoption of Irish children in the United States I promised to let you know if we were able to ascertain anything regarding the attitude of the ecclesiastical authorities here. We have just found out unofficially and indirectly the conditions on which His Grace the Archbishop of Dublin will allow Irish children to be sent to America for adoption. A statement setting out these conditions is attached.

I will ask you to treat this information as confidential, private and secret and should not be used officially under any circumstances.

As regards applications for passports for the children concerned I think I told you that the Department requires satisfactory evidence of the suitability of the foster parents. We reached the conclusion independently that satisfactory evidence from our point of view would be a vetting of the foster parents by the Catholic Charities or a kindred organisation. Accordingly the requirement at B in the attached statement may also be regarded as a necessary condition for the issue of a passport in these cases.

[enclosure]

Requirements of His Grace, the Archbishop of Dublin, from American Adopters.

• A joint affadavit signed and sworn by both adopters before a Notary Public to read as follows:- 'Name of both adopters both residing at address in full both being duly sworn, depose and state that we are both Catholics, and undertake to rear the child adopted from St. Patrick's Guild, 50 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin, as a Catholic, and to educate such child, during the whole course of its schooling, in Catholic Schools; and to send it to a Catholic University, if perchance the child in future years is sent to a University; and to undertake to keep the child permanently, and not to hand it over to any other party or parties.'
• a recommendation from the Director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese in which you reside, and if there is no such person in your particular diocese, a recommendation from the Chancellor of that diocese will do instead;
• a statement as to your circumstances, with a guarantee as to your income, so as to ensure a good home and good prospects in life for the adopted little one;
• medical certificates for both adopters, stating your ages, and that you are not deliberately shirking natural parenthood and in good health.

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• Marriage Certificate - Church.
• Pastor's Reference.
• Baptismal Certificates.