Vatican Monitum & Correspondence

              3339 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE
WASHINGTON 8, D. C.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

No 216/46
THIS NO. SHOULD BE PREFIXED TO THE ANSWER

July 26, 1961

Most Reverend Ralph L. Hayes, DD
Bishop of Davenport
Cosgrove Building, 410 Brady Street
Davenport, Iowa

Your Excellency:

I am in receipt of a letter from His Eminence, Alfredo Cardinal Ottaviani, Secretary of the Supreme Congregation of the Holy Office, asking that I convey to Your Excellency the content of a recent decision rendered by the same Congregation.

This decision delt directly with a series of "holy cards" that were designed by a priest from the Diocese of Davenport and published by the Catfish Press, St. Ambrose College, Davenport, Iowa. It is requested that Your Excellency caution the priest in question so that in his artistic activity he exercise more discipline in accord with the norms given by the Holy Office in the field of religious art, and particularly that he observe the precepts set forth in the well-known Instruction of the Holy Office on Sacred Art, which was published on July 1, 1955.

I shall be deeply grateful if Your Excellency will give your prompt attention to this matter.

With sentiments of esteem and every best wish, I remain

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Apostolic Delegate