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5 October 1843 - Bishop Jean-Baptiste François Pompallier to Father Jean-Baptiste Épalle, Bay of Islands

Summary

Predicts that if he gets enough money and men, heresy in NZ will suffer a major defeat. But the lack of regular help puts all this in jeopardy. Various sums of money promised, have yet to arrive. The “Sancta Maria” has been sold, he believes, but he has not yet got the money for it. Now he wants a ship again.

From the document sent, APM OOc 418.2.

A sheet of "Bath" paper forming four pages, of which only the first is written, the second and third remain blank, and the fourth carries only Poupinel’s annotation.

Translated by Merv Duffy, February 2025.

Text of the Letter

[p. 4]

[In Poupinel’s handwriting]

New Zealand ¤ Bay of Islands, November 5, 1843 ¤ Mgr. Pompallier

[p. 1]

(No. 6) Jesus, Mary, Joseph

From the station of St. Peter and St. Paul, Bay of Islands, October 5, 1843.

To the Reverend Father Épalle, Vice Vicar of the Apostolic Vicariate of Western Oceania, in Lyon.

My Reverend and dear Father,

[1]

I barely have time to tell you that if subjects and resources arrive in New Zealand in sufficient number and quantity, the Catholic Church in our ministry will achieve one of the most glorious victories over heresy. The second pamphlet I have written, which has just been printed in 3,200 copies, has had the best effects on the people everywhere. Everywhere, they are asking for holy baptism and priests. New Zealand will be snatched from the devil this time—if enough subjects come, along with sufficient resources. But the delays and indecisions from overseas cause us the greatest harm; heresy takes full advantage of my lack of a ship, funds, and subjects. The weak point of my position is well known; having to make irregular and large expenses here, then not being regularly assisted, means being weakened and dying. At this moment, would you believe that the funds you borrowed from me in Valparaíso are still not in my hands? One must always wait in Sydney for a response from London first; this response has been expected week after week, but it has yet to appear. The 8,000 francs in question, which are on the corvette Le Rhin in Akaroa, have yet to arrive. The ship Sancta Maria was sold for £700 (seven hundred pounds sterling), and I still do not know when I will receive all of it.

[2]

It has been eight months since the Reverend Fathers Bernard, Morau, and Chouvet arrived here. They had announced an imminent shipment of brothers and priests, but since then, not a single letter from Lyon, not a sign of life. Break this icy silence, my dear friend, which, if known among the scattered members working in the mission, would sow discouragement and fear.

[3]

I am sending you a duplicate of a report on this mission, addressed to His Excellency, the Governor of New Zealand,^[1] by sending the letter to the Colonial Secretary, as requested. This document will undoubtedly interest the Propagation of the Faith and the Society, and even His Eminence, Cardinal Fransoni. Let it be well understood everywhere that in this letter, which I am sending to the colonial and Protestant authorities, I am speaking before all of New Zealand. By this, the truth of what I have stated in my past letters will be recognized, and an even more accurate understanding of these efforts will be gained. A ship! A ship! A ship for the mission, and all will be won. May you be blessed in Jesus and Mary.

Your devoted and affectionate servant,

Jean-Baptiste François, Apostolic Vicar

[p. 1, in the margin and across the text]

[4]

Postscript: Let it be well understood in Lyon that I will no longer issue drafts; let the funds and subjects be sent to me regularly; otherwise, the Church will have to mourn our death in humiliation, distress, and in the triumph of heresy—at the very moment when it was on the verge of collapse. + François

[5]

Defend me well regarding the dispersion of subjects as I outlined in my letter in English.

François

Notes

1. ↑ Robert FitzRoy, Governor of New Zealand from 1843 to 1845 (cf. Oxford History NZ, p. 59).