Letter from Alexander Winster to [PF pro-secretary, Edoardo Cibo] and one small note from Alexander Winster to John Irvin, 1679-09-25, [Schotland]

Letter from Alexander Winster to [PF pro-secretary, Edoardo Cibo] and one small note from Alexander Winster to John Irvin, 1679-09-25, [Schotland]

Franciscans

Mission reports

Scotland

Scottish colleges

Visitation

Letter from Al' Winster [Alexander Winster] to PF. In these dangerous times Winster is afraid to write to PF, because if found, his writings will be regarded as treason. Oats, [Bedlo] and others wrote a book about the treason of the Catholics, of which Winster will say no more, because he is sure that PF already knows about this. The situation in Scotland is not as bad as it is in England, however there are hard measures in place against priests who did not leave the Kingdom; this is why they have to disguise themselves and work at night. The people of the islands and mountains are suffering, as since Il Bianco [Francis White] passed away, there are not enough missionaries to help. As there were no other possibilities, he had to send a Franciscan named Drein to these regions, despite the fact he did not have the faculties for the mission. Winster asks PF to find a Irish priest for the misson to replace Francis White. He also asks PF to do something about the situation otherwise the whole mission will go to ruin, which would be a shame since there are more than 4,000 Catholics in the area. Fr. Macdonell [Francis MacDonnell] wrote to Winster stating that he had to retreat to the convent to recover his health. Monro [Robert Monro] went to Barra, the most remote island of the Hebrides. Alexander Lesley, who is the visitor to the Scottish mission, returned from his trip to the islands and mountains really sick. Winster does not think it possible for him to stay in Scotland, and D. Guthrie [David Gutheri] and R. Dauisone [Davidson?] have also been sick for the better part of the year; Winster has helped them with a great part of the annual provision. Winster asks PF to send David Burnet to Scotland, though he does not need to take great risks, as from France or the Netherlands he can easily take a boat to the regions of Marquess Huntly. Its noted that whilst they really need him at the mission, he is not really of much use in Paris (where he is currently residing). The other missionaries are doing fine, G. Gordon [George Gordon] is in Strathbogie, Innes [George Innes] in Angus, Whytford in Edinburgh and its surroundings, and Aless'o Irvino [Alexander Irvin] is were he usually resides. He asks PF to send them some portable items (possibly altars); the mission does not own anything, as the missionaries always arrive with empty hands. Winster asks PF to give the reply to the Scottish College in Paris. The pages contain a second letter, which is a small note from Alexander Winster to John Irvin. In this letter, he asks Irvin to present his service to the Lord of Norfolk.

Date discussed:1680-04-30

Additional comments

Alexander Winster

APF SOCG 478, 346r-v, 347r-v, 349v

1679-09-25

[Adressed to PF]

For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 50, 117r, 126v-128 (database 684).

Original: signed

Italian

English

Letter

Report

805

Origin: [Schotland]

Destination: [Rome]