44. Corrigan to Scalabrini¹⁰³

         New York, September 29, 1893

Most Reverend Excellency:

Your precious letter of the 9th arrived a few days ago. In the meantime I was happy to see your friend Professor Grassi of Milan, who will give you many greetings from me. He seems a good Christian and very intelligent.

            Father Bandini came the other day and speaking of financial business, I took the opportunity to ask him for an exact account which he promised to bring me without delay. We’ll see.

            The Church of the Most Precious Blood must be sold on October 2nd. Perhaps after the sale we may still be able to rent it. In any event it is a very painful thing.

            Father Vicentini told me yesterday that Father Novati¹⁰⁴ would be made Rector of St. Joachim’s Church. He hoped that Father Morelli, who would have in this way lost his office, would have left willingly. Instead he made unacceptable claims, i.e., full responsibility be taken for all his personal and parish debts, and without due accounts and guarantees.

            Today the Church sings Auctor pacis, Michael. Truly this glorious Archangel has brought peace to this diocese. The errors, which for so long have caused us grief, are now condemned by the Holy Office and the Pope. The priests involved must publicly confess the truth. I hope that they will have the graciousness to obey the Holy See. Then we surely shall have peace.

            Recommending myself to your prayers, I remain, Excellency,

Your Most Devoted Servant,

Michael Augustine, Archbishop

Don Carlo sends you his best regards.