861.413/12–2851: Despatch
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Cumming) to the Department of State 1
No. 423
Subject: Status of Father Brassard, American Clergyman at Moscow
There has been no change in Father Brassard’s status in recent months. He continues to live in an apartment allocated to the French Embassy in the “diplomatic” apartment house on Sadovo-Samotechnaya, and has recently received a new altar and tabernacle which he says constitutes all of such equipment necessary at this time. Recently, alterations to facilitate the holding of religious services there have been effected in the apartment by the Soviet agency, Burobin.
The question of a replacement for Father Thomas2 has apparently reached an impasse. The French Embassy has connected the matter of a new French priest to the resumption of control of the Church of St. Louis. The Soviets, on the other hand, apparently have let it be known that consideration of a visa request for a French priest would also be connected with the matter of issuance of a French entry visa to a representative of the Moscow Orthodox Church. It seems unlikely therefore that a French priest will be coming to Moscow in the near future.
Father Brassard appears to be in excellent health and good spirits, although he naturally looks forward to the day when he may anticipate the arrival of a replacement here. The Department will recall the extraordinary delay experienced in connection with Father Brassard’s original entry visa. The religious authorities should therefore be counseled to make application for Father Brassard’s replacement months in advance of his actual anticipated departure.
Counselor of Embassy