Juncker, H.D., Bishop of Alton, Alton, Illinois, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1864 April 3

Juncker asks Purcell if he is following the course of Bishop James Duggan of Chicago by denouncing, and refusing the Sacraments to the members of the Fenian Brotherhood. He had some of the pastors of the Chicago diocese read the circular of Duggan's and it caused much dissatisfaction. Because Juncker knows nothing about them he will continue to give them the Sacraments until he learns how the other prelates are treating the matter. He asks Purcell for his opinion, and feels it necessary that the matter be taken up and passed upon unanimously at the next Provincial Council, otherwise scandals among the priests and the people will result. The answer should be sent to Springfield, Ill. He asks for Purcell's prayers. ` P.S. Since writing the above Juncker has read the Telegraph and is sorry to see that the Provincial Council has been postponed, and cannot believe that Purcell consented to the invitation to the great Fenian Ball at Cincinnati. :: II-5-b A.L.S. 3pp. 12mo.