Girard0280
From Marist Studies
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4 November 1843 - Bishop Jean-Baptiste François Pompallier to Father Jean-Baptiste Épalle, Kororareka
Summary
Anxiously asks whether Épalle has received his letters. “No sign of life” since February last. Has told Father Colin of Fr Tripe’s departure. Has sent him a copy of his Maori catechism.
Based on the document sent, APM OOc 418.2. Sheet of “Bath” paper, forming four pages, only the first of which is written on; the second and third remain blank, and the fourth bears only a note by Poupinel.
Translated by Merv Duffy, April 2025.
Text of the Letter
- [p. 4]
- [In Poupinel’s hand]
- New Zealand ¤ Kororareka, November 4, 1843 ¤
- Bishop Pompallier
- [p. 1]
- (No. 7) Jesus, Mary, Joseph
- Saints Peter and Paul, November 4, 1843
- To Reverend Father Épalle, Pro-Vicar Apostolic of Western Oceania, in Lyon
- My Reverend and dear Father,
- [1]
- I wrote to you on October 5th last, letter No. 6. Have my letters reached you? Alas! I do not know! I have had no sign of life from you or anyone else since last February! Does the good God will it so, or merely permit it? Which of the two is the truer? How eager I am to receive news of your journey! Even if you wrote just a single line: I arrived in Lyon in good health, it would bring me unspeakable joy. In any case, I hope to hear from you soon.
- Remain in Lyon, stay focused on the mission there, and maintain regular and active correspondence with me, especially regarding personnel and financial support for our work.
- [2]
- Father Trippe is withdrawing from the mission; I have just written about this to the Very Reverend Father Colin, Superior General, who will inform you of all the details. I am also sending him a copy of my pastoral instruction, printed in Maori at the beginning of the first brochure, and translated into English in Sydney—without my knowledge and at the expense of the charitable clergy of that city, particularly Mr. McEncroe.
- I also sent to the Reverend Father General the article from the Australasian Chronicle, dated September 16, 1843, which mentions this brochure that is causing quite a stir and doing much good in our colonies. I don’t have many of these copies, which is why I’ve only sent one for the whole Society. You know enough English and Maori to make it understandable. I hope soon to send you a French translation.
- [3]
- I’m sending you many letters enclosed here. Please ensure they are delivered to the people they’re addressed to. Soon I’ll be able to better encourage the zeal of benefactors. I have written all the mission's difficulties to the Reverend Father Superior General; please ask to read the entire letter.
- [4]
- I’m sending to the Propagation of the Faith a copy of my letter to the officer administering this colony, addressed to the Colonial Secretary.[1]
- [5]
- Many greetings to the Reverend Fathers at the Lyon house: to Fr. Cholleton, Fr. Teraillon, Fr. Colin the elder, Fr. Maîtrepierre, Fr. Rouchon, Frs. Séon, Bourdin, Balmet, Poupinet, etc., etc., etc.
- [6]
- Let us pray for one another in Christ and Mary, that we may be blessed and saved!
Entirely yours in their holy hearts,
- +Jean-Baptiste François, Bishop, Apostolic Vicar
- [p. 1, margin, written sideways]
- [7] Postscript
- Brothers, brothers, priests, priests—and money accordingly; at least one brother per priest, but not over 40 years of age. I was told here that, through the government represented by a consul in Sydney, our funds could be delivered to us regularly, actively, and securely without sending cash over the seas. (Information from Commander Bérard,[2] corvette Le Rhin, Bay of Islands.) Look into this matter in Paris via letters to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,[3] and then speak about it to the Reverend Father Superior General and the Propagation of the Faith.
- + François
- If steps are not taken quickly to regularize and activate all our communications—especially financial ones—our mission will inevitably collapse.
- + François
- [8] Postscript 2
- Continue to promote zeal for the smocks, crosses, medals, rosaries, knives, scissors, etc. Father Forêt, procurator, writes in support of the procure. Many greetings to Madame Pichot.[4] Has she received my letter sent some —[5] months ago?
Notes
- ↑ Edward Stanley, an English lord, was Secretary of State for War and the Colonies from September 1841 until December 1845; he succeeded to the title Earl of Derby in 1851 (see Jore, vol. 2, p. 411; Australian Dictionary of Biography, vol. 2, p. 470).
- ↑ See document 260, § 5, note 6.
- ↑ François Pierre Guillaume Guizot, Minister of Foreign Affairs from October 29, 1840, to February 23, 1848 (see Dictionnaire des ministres, p. 138).
- ↑ Madame widow Pichot: it was in her room at La Favorite (in Lyon) that the first assembly of the women’s fraternity of the Third Order of Mary took place, presided over by Pompallier (see ML, doc. 234, §§ 10–11, and doc. 461, § 9; see also ML, doc. 415, § 5, note 10).
- ↑ Illegible figure.
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