Chapter 7
by John Gavin Nolan
The details of Father Walsh’s papal audience are not known, but on his return from Rome several letters awaited the CNEWA president. The first, dated 10 July 1928, was signed by the new assessor at the Oriental Congregation, Monsignor Amleto Giovanni Cicognani, who would soon play a decisive role in the history of CNEWA and eventually become the apostolic delegate to the United States. Monsignor Cicognani enclosed a copy of CNEWA’s budget, approved by the pope after Cardinal Sincero and Father Walsh had been received in audience, along with a reminder that Monsignor Philip Giobbe, Monsignor Cicognani’s predecessor, had been promised an advance of $5,000 for the congregation’s immediate expenses. 17 On 16 August Father Walsh sent Monsignor Cicognani the $5,000 and promised to send $20,000 more, one-half the balance due the congregation, on 1 October. 18
Under date of 12 July 1928 Monsignor Cicognani informed Father Walsh that His Holiness had approved $8,300 per year for two schools in Mesopotamia (Iraq) that had not been mentioned in the budget submitted by the CNEWA president, and said he had no doubt that CNEWA’s generous benefactors would support the Holy Father in his plans for that country. 19 Father Walsh promised to adjust CNEWA’s finances so that the emergency could be met. 20 On 23 July Monsignor Cicognani requested an additional $2,000, this time for Armenian refugees in Greece.21 In reply Father Walsh said that a check for $1,000 would be sent right away, and that the balance would be sent 1 October.22
Not every letter Father Walsh received, however, contained a request for money. On 10 August 1928, from Bulgaria, where he was now apostolic visitator with the rank of archbishop, Angelo Roncalli wrote to Father Walsh:
Outside of the Vatican circles I was able to gather something of certain difficulties which [sic] the Catholic Near East Welfare Association still encounters in America. You must not be afraid and you must be brave. These trials are the better guarantee that the work is good and destined to accomplish immense good. With patience, calm and charity everything will be conquered for the greater glory of the Lord and the triumph of the Church.