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Capuchin Franciscan Friary,
10114 Compton Avenue
Los Angeles. California.
30th September 1937.
The Most Reverend Louis B. Bucera,
Bishop of Lincoln,
Lincoln. Nebraska.
Most Reverend and dear Bishop :
I am in receipt of your letter with reference to the Sacred Heart Parish in Lincoln, which Parish is in the care of the Irish Capuchins. That letter stresses its parlous financial condition - already pointed out in your letters to Father Joseph since December 1936. It states that we jointly examined the existing records and found that the present debt is too unwieldy, that such has been the case for many years since the Parish School was built, that it necessitated the sacrifice of salary, and - I should add, income from missions, and that in view of the economic depression which still exists in and around Lincoln there is no hope for the future except through financial compromise with the bank and the bandholders.
In view of these facts we agreed that it would be unfair to ask the Capuchin Fathers to make further sacrifice for the Sacred Heart Parish. For that reason you, as Ordinary of the Diocese of Lincoln, expressed your willingness that our Fathers should withdraw from the Sacred Heart Church on condition that our Provincial superior could obtain permission to do so from the Holy See.
With your kind permission I would restate briefly the case from the point of view of the Capuchin Order.
Our life-work, as you know, is not directly the case of Parishes. It is two-fold: monastic and preaching. This ideal obtains concrete expression in the building of Friaries wherein the Franciscan life may be lived, and whence the Friars may go out to preach. With growth in numbers and Friaries the tendency is to form separate units or provinces dependent to a certain extent on geographical conditions.
Looking towards our future province we find ourselves located chiefly on the Pacific slope. Our Lincoln house is more or less isolated, and therefore does not fit into our plan for a province. For this reason, as well as for the reason that we need all our men for the building and staffing of proper Friaries, the Provincial Definitory instructed me to take up with Your Excellency the matter of relinquishing the Sacred Heart Parish.
Having discussed the whole question with you, I have written our Provincial Superior telling him of your willingness that we withdraw from the Diocese of Lincoln, in the event he obtains permission to do so from the Holy See.
In such event I want you to know that it is with deep regret and because of the pressing needs of our Order we relinquish the care of souls in your Diocese. For the Irish Capuchins have been most happy to serve under so excellent a leader. I, personally, am grateful for the kind and gracious reception you accorded me. Nor, having worked with you be it only for so short a time, must I fail to express my admiration of your thorough and business-like administration.
With every kind good wish,
I remain your obedient servent in Christ,
Fr. Stephen,
Custos Provincial.