ALS. The writer informs that, in compliance with Pius VIII's wish, he replaced Scallan, bp. of Dragobitia, who died on 7 June [1830], as vicar apostolic [of Newfoundland, and describes in detail the state of religion in the island. Catholics are 70,000/80,000, they respect their clergy and live in five districts (Harbour Grace, Placentia, Ferryland, St. John's, King's Cove), whose geographical coordinates are given. He specifically mentions Harbour Main, Brigus, Port de Grave, Bay Roberts, Carbonear, Broad Cove, Northern Bay, Bay de Verd (for Harbour Grace district), St. Mary, Trepassey, Fermeuse, Rennes [Renews], Cape Broyle, Upper Brigus (for Ferryland), Trinity Bay, Catalina, Bonavista, Fogo, Gooseberry Islands, Twillingate, Tilton Harbour (for King's Cove), St. Lawrence, Little Placentia, Great Placentia, Macus [Marquise], Merrichin [Merasheen], Burin, Paradise (for Placentia).
There are currently nine missionaries [but only seven are here mentioned, besides the writer] in the island, four of whom [Sinnott, Herron, [T.] Browne are three] are not to be praised (years before were rejected by their Irish bp.s and obtained faculties for the island due to the lack of priests). In Harbour Grace there are Ewer (superior, 40 years in mission, fatigued by the climate), [N.] Devereux and Makin; in Ferryland the Augustinian Browne (superior, imprudent); in King's Cove Sinnott (superior, whose scandalous life was caused by the fact that he was not appointed bp. and received permission to leave the vicariate [apostolic]); in Placentia the secular Herron (superior, active but imprudent), [E.] Doyle.
A subdivision of the island would allow to receive more and more qualified priests from Ireland and to provide the faithful with better spiritual assistance, which is also made difficult by the cold climate and the lack of roads. He asks for the usual faculties and some special ones (marriage dispensations, blessing, sacred oils, celebration of mass). He also informs that he received letters meant for Abraham, bp. of Waterford and Lismore. PF S. Re PF's answer of 8 March 1831 [see APF, Lettere, volume 312, folio 188rv-189r].
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