23. Corrigan to Scalabrini⁵²

         Newburgh, N.Y., May 8, 1889

(Confidential)

Most Venerable Bishop:

I received your letter of April 13 some time ago, but I have been so busy at home and so often outside the city, as I am now in a pastoral visitation, that I could not answer up to now.

            Concerning the funds already collected to build an Italian Church, the question was only one of place and not principle. Doubts had to do with the intentions of those who donated the money. We had to know if it was given for an Italian church within the area of the parish where they live or in any other site, on the condition that the church be Italian. When it was learned that the money was given to build a church in that area only, but not exactly within the same parish, I immediately ordered that the funds be transferred to Father Morelli, and this before your letter arrived.

            No need to say that there has been not the slightest idea to confiscate the funds, much less to take them over or steal them. Nor it is necessary to say that threats do not impress me at all.

            Permit me to tell you two things in confidence. First, Father Felice innocently erred when he bought the present Church. I advised him that through a close friend I could have purchased it for sixty-three thousand dollars and that he should not manifest a desire to have it. Unfortunately, he had to deal with Jews, and showed great greed in this matter. As a consequence, these Jews did not want to sell the land but for 73,000. dollars. Thus, we have lost a greater amount than the savings of all these years, more than the sum about which so much fuss has been made. Father Felice erred because of his Christian naivete in dealing with Jews, and for lack of experience.

            The second point is more serious. The seed of discord between Northern and Southern Italians have been sown also here in America. I regret to inform you, also in confidence, that the principal cause lies with Father Marcellino. He never ceased to badmouth the Neapolitans and to praise the Northern Italians. I have not mentioned this to you until now because I had hoped that his practice might cease with his departure. Therefore, since their arrival, I begged your priests not to mix such issues with the salvation of souls. I do not reproach them; but last Sunday, the police had to intervene in order to keep order inside the Church while services were being held. This had never been seen before. The seeds already sown produced bitter fruit.

            The Salesian Sisters⁵³ are not happy because 1) they have no decent house; 2) they receive no regular salary, but only the promise that they will lack nothing. I shall change the situation with Father Felice. It is necessary to provide the Sisters with at least a healthy residence, adequately clean and comfortable. Moreover, I would like to give them a regular salary as it is the custom for all the Sisters in this diocese. Perhaps I will be able to arrange this. I believe that in these things it is better to follow the customs prevailing in this country. I speak of these things not to complain, but rather to let you know what is happening.

            With this, I remain

Your Most Reverend Excellency’s very affectionately in the Lord,

Michael Augustine, Archbishop