Material on Walter McDonagh, who departed the Society of Jesus, as a scholastic.
Born: 9 October 1911
Entered: 2 September 1929
Left: 19[43]

Letter from Fr George Kelly SJ, St Mary's Presbytery, North Sydney, Australia to Irish Fr Provincial J Murphy SJ concerning a letter written by a priest in Rome 'which has been taken up amongst certain laymen who are in the confidence of Ecclesiastical circles.' Refers to a Cardinal Moran and remarks '...there has been much gossip about the probability of his remaining in Rome.' Refers to Fr [Michael] Dooley and remarks 'It had been...a matter of public notoriety and some amusement amongst Ours that for years Fr Dooley has been in the habit of writing constantly to Propaganda...about anything...in the Ecclesiastical world and lately...about the Cardinal's future.' Includes a note written by Fr Provincial concerning a meeting he had with Cardinal Moran about the letter.

Copy of a letter from the Micheal Kelly, Archbishop of Sydney, St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney to Fr John Ryan SJ (Superior of the Australian Mission) concerning two issues raised in letters from Fr Ryan SJ to the Archbishop, namely sanction for a loan to extend St Mary's Church, Milson's Point and the restoration of parish duties to the Fathers at Loyola.

Letters from Fr Dominic V. Connell SJ to the Irish Fr Provincial. Includes a letter giving his opinion about the creation of a Vice-Province of the Society in Australia (26 June 1925, 1p).

A file of letters from Fr John Fahy SJ (Vice-Provincial of the Vice-Province 19 March 1931-25 August 1939) to Irish Fr Provincial Laurence Kieran SJ. Includes a letter referring to a visit to the Hong Kong Mission. Remarks 'Your men are doing glorious work there I had expected great things; the reality surpassed my expectations. That will become a first class mission.' (25 February 1937, 2pp). Includes a letter referring to plans for a retreat house and scholasticate at Sydney. Refers to the Archbishop of Perth and his desire for the Jesuit fathers to build a college in Perth. Remarks '...he wishes to get the Jesuits into his diocese. It does not seem to have occurred to him that the people of Perth would be expected to support any Jesuit Fathers who work there. So we exchange letters on this question of filthy lucre.' (1 April 1937, 2pp). Includes a letter expressing his thanks to Fr Kieran SJ for writing about the Australian Jesuits studying in Ireland. Remarks '...I am most grateful for your interest in them and your care of them. Other Provincials never write about our men: all we get is the bill and the exam results...' Refers to his own position as Provincial of the Vice-Province. Remarks 'Yes, our period of office is drawing to a close...I long for the day... Boys oh Boys, think of it: no more "relationes", no more triennial papers, no more elenchi, no more building, no more administratio temporalis, no more...peace perfect peace.' (21 April 1937, 2pp). Includes a letter referring to the proposed opening of a scholasticate in January 1938 (25 October 1938, 1p).

A file of letters from Fr John Meagher SJ (Vice-Provincial of the Vice-Province 25 August 1939-1 October 1947) to Irish Fr Provincial (John R. MacMahon SJ and Thomas Byrne). Includes a letter referring to an offer by the Apostolic Delegate to take a minor seminary in New Zealand in 1947. Asks if four or five young priests could be sent out. Remarks 'We have offers of work from practically every Bishop in Australia and must refuse for want of men. Our recruiting is bad and I really don't know what to do to remedy the trouble.' (10 November 1945, 1p). Includes a letter referring to a request by Fr Dan O'Connell SJ for Fr Richard Ingram SJ to help with his work in the Riverview Observatory. (18 March 1946, 1p). Includes a number of letters concerning Fr Cooney and his ill health. Includes a letter remarking 'He (Fr Cooney) wants to return to Hong Kong in September but I think you realise his return there would probably settle his chances of ever doing any more work...I think that Fr Cooney will never be really fit to return to Hong Kong (15 May 1946, 1p). Includes a letter referring to proposals to open colleges in Adelaide and Brisbane. Remarks due to the shortage of Jesuit Fathers that this is impossible. (27 June 1946, 1p).

A file relating to Fr John Purcell SJ and his failing health.