Extract from a handwritten letter from Joseph P. Walshe
to Seán Nunan (Dublin)¹
(Most Secret)

I shall not reply officially to your recommendation to look after Frank Duff² and John Murray³ – In this job, I feel there is hardly any limit to the things one can do in the general interest and, certainly, the Legion⁴ is one of our great propaganda factors throughout the world, and, therefore, completely within the sphere of this mission. As you know, there are some peculiar people who will not think with us in that matter – I mean especially those who refuse to see the problem of the present time as one whole, embracing the spiritual as well as the social and economic aspects of life. I have therefore always worked for the Legion since I came to Rome – written articles, gave conferences, secured the good will of Catholic Action, above all of the Holy See. I have been with Archbishop van Lierde⁵ in all his work, for the Legion, inside the Vatican, have pushed him to secure the favourable reception of a visit from Frank – urged him to go to Dublin, even wrote the letter with the bad English, which he sent to Frank, and of which you sent me a copy.

Frank and John Murray are staying with me in the Spada,⁶ and I shall, of course, do everything I possibly can to enable Frank to leave Rome high in the favour of the Pope and the Holy See.

A good deal of all that and many things which remain to be done, have to be done, in spite of many obstacles which frequently come from the narrow and frequently wrong headed conceptions of the Legion authorities, including Frank himself. That does not, for a moment, exclude the very high esteem and affection I have always had for Frank – without his hard headedness, and obstinacy, the Legion would never had made such progress in the world, but these qualities require considerable toning down in the rarefied atmosphere of the Holy See. The Holy Father, for instance, is by no means pleased at Frank's very long absence from Rome – Now, it was quite impossible to induce him to come out without having recourse to a slight stratagem. We have, at the same time, to pretend to Frank that the Holy See positively wants him to come, and to the Holy See that Frank wants to come and make a report to the Holy Father. In any case, it is working. I hope the Holy Father will be extremely nice to him – sometimes He admonishes men of Frank's calibre, for not treating Him more as a father. I believe the visit can be of tremendous value.

Another organisation which I have tried, in every way to help, is the Opus Dei⁷ – an institute of Professional men, who practice the religious life, at the same time as their profession. The idea of the founder⁸ was to establish a corps of Elite Catholics in every country – who should be able to influence men and women of intelligence.

There was very considerable difficulty in securing permission from John McQuaid, to allow these men to operate in Dublin – and, only during my visit in June did I succeed in breaking down the final obstacles, and persuading him to give them permission with real good will. I suggested that the Procurator General⁹ – a great friend of mine – should go over in August. John McQ. is now completely in their favour and is allowing them to establish two hostels as a beginning of their work.

I hope, in due course, that this body will be a great factor in the development of the cultural and Christian traditions (including the language) of Ireland. They are a wealthy order and they intend to make their cleverer young men (the intellectual standard for all is high) study history, science etc. and to make a name for themselves in their respective countries.

One in every hundred or so, becomes a priest – Cormac Burke¹⁰ of Sligo the leader in Dublin has come to Rome to prepare for the priesthood. Naturally, so far the Irish members are only 12 or 14, but a priest is required at each H.Q. as they have to go to mass in their own chapel if circumstances allow. Bishops Hanly,¹¹ Lucey¹² and Browne¹³ are already in favour of the Opus Dei. Of course, the development must begin in the cities of Dublin, Belfast and Cork before going further. Their principal field of operations is in University Cities. In many places, especially in Ireland, they will form a complement to the Legion, which, so far, has neglected the intellectual classes, including the Higher Civil Service and Professional men. Naturally I don't want a word of all this to go beyond yourself and the Minister – with every good wish to yourself and Mrs. Nunan,

Yours sincerely,
J.P. Walshe

[postscript]

I am glad to have this off my chest as I don't want you and Frank to feel that I am engaged in all sorts of activities which you know nothing about.

I recently had a letter from the President in which he made it clear that he knew I had something to do with the Opus Dei in Dublin. I feel certain he heard it from Mgr. Curran who doubtless, learned it from John McQuaid.

An incidental difficulty in connection with Frank's visit is the almost certain holding of a Consistory, at an early date – The time at the H.F.'s disposal will be thus further lessened.