Draft Memorandum by Hagan from the Mayor of Cork for the Cardinal Secretary of State

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Pontifical Irish College

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Hagan, John

Hagan, John, 1873-1930

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Handwritten draft memorandum [by Hagan] from the Mayor of Cork, for the Cardinal Secretary of State, on the basis of an interview with the latter in the preceding week. Reminding him that the appeal made last Christmas in protest over the Irish bishops' refusal of the sacraments to political activists has not had a response – the matter is rendered more urgent by the hunger-strikes proclaimed 27 days ago and pursued by several hundred men. Singling out for special note Ernie O'Malley, Seán T. O'Kelly, Seán Buckley and Brian O'Higgins. The republicans are convinced that the Free State could not have upheld its barbarous attitude without the spiritual weapons wielded by the Irish bishops, and the accompanying connivance by the Holy See; the latter failing to react to the report filed by its nuntio. Pointing to the reactions to the hunger strikes overseas in the shape of a message from Archbishop Mannix, and a mass meeting in New York. Appealing to the Holy See to raise its voice on behalf of the weak and suffering, lest people arrive at the conviction that the Cardinal Secretary favours the British envoy to their delegation.