Poup432

21 October 1858 - Letter from Victor Poupinel to Philippe Viard

Based on the duplicate copy, three pages, CLP I, p. 30-32.

Translated by ChatGPT, January 2024.

To Bishop Viard, Bishop of Orthosie, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Wellington.

Villa Maria, October 21, 1858.

Bishop,

[1]

I returned to Sydney on the 2nd of this month; my journey was a bit long but happy and comforting. In any case, I plan to send to your eminence and your colleagues some details about my visit through Father Forest, who is about to leave us. It is quite likely that I will depart again within a month to accompany to New Caledonia three priests, four brothers, and three sisters whom we expect any day now. We are busy settling all our old accounts and closing them as of June 30th, as our management of the travel fund began on July 1st. After that, we need to organize our new books. These tasks, combined with the difficulties that the ones we are expecting will bring, leave us with little leisure time.

[2]

I possess, Bishop, the letter that your eminence honoured me with, dated June 21, and I take advantage of Father Forest's departure to respond. I was pleased to learn that you sent a report on the state of your mission to the very reverend father for two reasons: firstly, the procurator mentioned that it was unfortunate that you had not sent a statement of your needs, as without information, it had not been possible to justify an increase in the allocation for the Diocese of Wellington. I learned with regret that it amounted to only 25,000 francs for this year. Secondly, I had prepared very detailed reports for the very reverend Father General, where I had justified the needs of this mission. I handed my package to the French consul in Melbourne, who promised to dispatch it by the April 15 mail. This package should have arrived in Lyon with the other letters on June 16. However, by August 10, my letters had not arrived, and the father superior was truly upset about this delay. When the news reached me, it made me ill. Investigations are underway in Melbourne, Marseille, and Paris. I eagerly await the next mail. Undoubtedly, Bishop, this setback is very unfortunate, but I hope it will not prevent the sending of some priests to your diocese. The reverend superior wrote to me that he had received a very good letter from your eminence. He informed me in mid-July that the missionaries designated for you were already chosen, but he was still waiting for my report. A subsequent letter from Bishop Bataillon tells us that this dispatch will take place this month. However, I do not expect it to happen before next month. The arrival of these new colleagues might bring me as much joy as it will to you.

[3]

Father Rocher has undoubtedly informed you that Father Yardin sent the balance of your allocation for the last year on March 6. As I anticipated, the fear of bankruptcies had led our banker to postpone the sending of your funds and those of New Caledonia. They could have been sent a month earlier, but Father Yardin was absent. We have recently received a sum from the allocation for this year. I am unsure if we will receive new funds in the coming months because the procurator of Lyon informs me that he will have to reserve funds for sending the missionaries announced for Wellington.

[4]

[p. 31] ( ... ) I will write to Lyon; please write there as well to make your mission known. We are reaching the time when it is necessary to provide the procurator of Lyon with the documents he needs to make his annual report to the Propagation of the Faith. (page illegible)

[5]

[p. 32] ( ... ) The good spirit that I found in our colleagues in Central Oceania delighted me; it enchanted me. It is the same good spirit that I had the consolation to recognize among the children that the Society of Mary counts in New Zealand. I will be happy to assist them, console them, and encourage them in their arduous and glorious work. We will be friends like the children of the same family.

[6]

I have mentioned all of the above because our general superior, being endowed with a very affectionate heart, uncommon frankness, and a remarkably upright intention, must be encouraged. It is essential to avoid showing distrust or suspicion of ill will towards him. Therefore, I will refrain from discussing the letter to which I have the honour to respond with him. Indeed, circumstances may have been disagreeable, but the father could not have acted differently than he did. Thus, Bishop, let us submit to the trials that providence inflicts upon us, hoping that soon we will be relieved and assisted. But for the common good, let us not dwell on the past.

[7]

What your eminence kindly informs me about the stipend and the uniformity desired for external discipline between the two dioceses brings me great pleasure. These issues, though secondary, are indeed important. Even before my departure for Central Oceania, I knew that Bishop of Maronée [Pompallier] had requested missionaries from our revered Father General for the diocese of Auckland. Personally, I would not be displeased to see our colleagues return to exercise their zeal in a territory where their first brothers fought so gloriously. Our missions are making great progress in the Navigators [Samoa], in Viti [Fiji?], and in New Caledonia. Naturally, we must first attend to the needs of the missions directly entrusted to us, and I am (... ) in agreement with your consent. Who knows, upon returning to Wellington, I may be able to respond to the invitation extended by Bishop Pompallier? That would be a genuine satisfaction for me. I was surprised that your eminence bestowed the title of Bishop of Auckland upon Bishop Pompallier. This title, placed in the Annals, greatly surprised some individuals who noted the prelate's effort to remove his episcopal title.

[8]

Please accept the most affectionate feelings of respect with which I have the honor to be, your eminence, Bishop, your very humble and obedient servant,

Victor Poupinel s.m.

[9]

If you need, in order to establish uniformity of discipline between the two dioceses regarding fasts, abstinences, feasts, whether for the Whites or the Maoris, or on other points, if you need any dispensation, I am at your disposal. Our procurator in Rome will promptly carry out our requests.