An announcement of the departure of Bishop Butler from the role of Area Bishop for Hertfordshire; his successor is Mgr James O'Brien; arrangements, etc.

Thanks for the official notification. He had had Fr Reid to explain. Whatever his misgivings to wants to express his gratitude for the OSA's friendship and collaboration. He does question the "reasoning" behind the 3rd paragraph.

Province Secretary, Paul Graham provides the announcement to be read out at St Mary's.

Fr Hypher has returned to Southampton. Asking about the management of the various moves being planned - who has been told, when and about what? Particularly wishes to handle the changes at Beccles to properly explain the situation to the parish there. He has spoken to Tony Rogers [and another Tony] who agree that an announcement soon would be best.

Seamus Ahearne has said that all fie Augustinian houses and all five Bishops can accommodate the announcement on 3rd Sunday of Advent. Fr Keiran is away on business in Rome, but, the pastoral letter will be read on the 3rd or 4th Sunday of Advent. If the Bishop is going to inform the clergy before then could he place a strict embargo on the information. Not even a whiff of the new here. He has told the Provincial Superior that a new Bishop should be in place within 6 months; if he cannot make appointments then the OSA will do their best to accommodate him. Glad to see Hugh Lindsay's reply to Conor Cruise O'Brien in the Independent - my failure to reply left me uneasy.

The Abbot's letter about leaving Fr Simon at St Benet's for stability was welcomed. Look forward to the announcement in the New year.