Letter from Patrick Finegan to Fr Michael O'Flanagan, 29 April 1918

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Letter from Patrick Finegan to Fr Michael O'Flanagan, 29 April 1918

1 Bishop's House
Cullies
GAVAN 29: 4: 19 Rev. Dear Sir In view of a contested election taking place in East Gavan, in
consequence of the present parliamentary vacancy there, and of the fact
that our Catholic people will take opposing sides, and be sharply or
even bitterly divided: in the interest of religion and of their sacred
ministry, it is strictly prohibited to the clergy of the diocese of
Kilmore, and to you after receipt of this letter, to take any part
whatever on any side in this election, beyond that of quietly, and
without any contention, recording your vote, should you think it well
to give it. Faithfully yours,
(Signed) - Patrick Finegan
Bishop of Kilmore

Fr Michael O'Flanagan (1876–1942) was a Catholic priest and well-known republican activist. He was elected vice president of Sinn Féin in 1917. He became vice president of Sinn Féin In October 1917 along with Arthur Griffith who was at the date of the letter interred in Gloucester prison. O'Flanagan has been asked to canvas for Griffith in recently announced by election in East Cavan. Bishop Patrick Finegan is not the Bishop to whom O'Flanagan reports directly - as O'Flanagan is a known and prominent speaker and activist, he has received this letter from Bishop Finegan who has responsibility for nearby towns where election speeches will be known to be made in the coming months during the election campaign.

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How to cite

Letters 1916, published by the Austrian Centre for Digital Humanities, Vienna, 2026 (https://letters1916static.github.io/letters1916-static/item__6715.html)