Response of James Hagan, Apostolic Administrator of Otukpo, Nigeria to Vatican II’s Antepreparatory Commission

Eminentissime ac Reverendissime Pater,

Summa cum reverentia et oboedientia humiliter propono quaestiones sequentes ut in foliis adnexis pro futuro Concilio Oecumenico.

Osculans purpuram Romanam, et provolutus, peto benedictionem Eminentiae Vestrae pro apostolatu nostro apud Afros.

Permaneo Paternitatis Eminentiae Vestrae filius addictissimus,

IACOBUS HAHAN
Administrator Ap. Oturkpoënsis

Most Eminent and Reverend Father,

With the greatest reverence and obedience, I humbly propose the following issues as in the attached leaflets for the future Ecumenical Council.

Kissing the Roman purple and prostrating, I ask the blessing of Your Eminence for our apostolate among Africans.

I remain a very devoted son of Your Eminence’s Paternity,

JAMES HAGAN
Apostolic Administrator of Otukpo

1. Usus amplior linguae vulgaris in Sacramentis conficiendis, et in Benedictionibus conferendis, et in obsequiis.

2. Forma brevior pro recitatione Divini Officii.

3. Ad satisfaciendam legem ieiunii sufficiat ut quantitas cibi minor consuetae sumatur secundum regionem geographicam et diversitatem operum vel munium.

4. Valde desiderabilis ut Dies Pascha sit immobilis: e. g. Dominica prima vel secunda mensis aprilis.

IACOBUS HAHAN
Administrator Ap. Oturkpoënsiss

1.   Greater use of the common language in celebrating the Sacraments, conferring blessings, and funeral rites.

2. Shorter form for the recitation of the Divine Office.

3. To fulfil the law of fasting, let it be sufficient that a smaller quantity of the common food is taken according to the geographical region and the diversity of works or duties.

4. It is very desirable that Easter Day be immovable: e. g. on the first or second Sunday in April.

JAMES HAGAN
Apostolic Administrator of Otukpo