861.413/9–1550: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
712. Following text aide-mémoire concerning Father Brassard left with Gromyko this afternoon:
“American Ambassador desires draw attention Minister Foreign Affairs fact that Father John O. A. Brassard, American Roman Catholic Priest, who arrived Moscow January 20, 1950 for purpose administering to spiritual needs his co-religionists American nationality residing in USSR has, ever since his arrival, been denied possibility celebrating mass in Church of St. Louis, 12 Malaya Lubyanka, Moscow as has been done by his predecessors for past 16 years.
This means in effect that since return visa of Father George Antonio Laberge which would have permitted him come back to Moscow upon termination his leave in United States was cancelled mid-February 1949,1 right of those American Nationals in Moscow who desire attend services conducted by American priests has not been accorded them as provided by exchange notes between President Roosevelt and Foreign Minister Litvinov on November 16, 1933. From time arrival of Father Leopold Braun March 1, 1934 American Nationals of Roman Catholic faith residing in Soviet Union, have been regularly attending mass at Church of St. Louis said by American Priests, in accordance with terms above agreement. In fact, since 1937 Church of St. Louis has been only functioning Roman Catholic Church in Moscow. Consequently, when Father Brassard arrived as Father Laberge’s successor [Page 1248] he naturally expected continue without change practice saying mass for American Nationals resident here at Church St. Louis. Upon his first attempt do so on day following his arrival in Moscow, however, he was denied permission officiate at church by church committee representing Russian congregation.
On January 26, 1950 Embassy; in discharging its responsibility for pursuing on behalf United States Government observance of provisions of Roosevelt-Litvinov Agreement of 1933 by Soviet Government, made oral representation to Ministry requesting arrangements be made for Father Brassard to say mass for American Nationals at Church of St. Louis as called for by agreement and as established by tradition. Neither this approach nor several subsequent oral representations made to Ministry since then have succeeded in inducing Soviet Government to take favorable action this matter.
It should be pointed out that Father Brassard’s request for permission to celebrate mass at Church of St. Louis involves no additional demands on its facilities.
Throughout period of suspension their right to ministration of American Priest, that is, since mid-February 1949, American Nationals of Roman Catholic faith have, along with other members foreign colony in Moscow, been attending mass at Church St. Louis said by Father Jean Dematha Thomas, French Priest who left Soviet Union on September 1, 1950 at demand of Soviet government. Specific periods, amounting to around one hour a day, during which facilities Church St. Louis were made available to Father Thomas for holding of religious services can, in light his departure, be easily assigned to Father Brassard as simply continuance traditional practice this church.
US Government expects Soviet authorities concerned to undertake whatever measures are necessary overcome difficulties standing in way fulfillment terms of Roosevelt-Litvinov agreement of 1933 referred to above.”
Details my conversation with Gromyko follow separate telegram.2
- See Foreign Relations, 1949, vol. v, footnote 5, p. 569.↩
- In telegram 713, infra.↩