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GB ARCHON 2913 DEA-05-01-02-01-98 · Item · 9 September 1975
Part of Roman Catholic Diocese of East Anglia (RCDEA)

Fr baker had issued detailed directives about what women could wear. The Bishop thought that a general directive might be more adequate - he had no idea of the lead up which horrifies him. "In many ways this miserable affair has only just begun" but your bishops are trying to find a solution compatible with Catholic faith - likely to be firm action.

Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)
GB ARCHON 2913 DEA-05-01-02-01-96 · Item · 8 September 1975
Part of Roman Catholic Diocese of East Anglia (RCDEA)

Acknowledges that he had read the Downham Market article and advised others to read it. The holiness of Fr Baker is for God to judge but his ministry leaves a lot to be desired; have tried to contain this because of the hurt and scandal its disclosure would cause; this assumption of holiness hurts other priests in the area. "It is appalling that Downham Market has associated itself with the Abbe of Nantes."
Short discussion of Apostolicae Curae; leave off the offensive "final decision" from the front cover.
The proceedings of Oxford was kept completely confidential but the last sentence of the press release is a "humble and abiding confidence in what we are doing."

Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)
GB ARCHON 2913 DEA-05-01-02-01-131 · Item · 24 November 1975
Part of Roman Catholic Diocese of East Anglia (RCDEA)

Detailing the immediate consequences of the Decree sent on 20 November:

  1. not entitled to live in the Parish house - must be vacated without delay - contact the Bishop for support arrangements
  2. not entitled to use the Church - will not evict Fr Baker but will not tolerate him remaining
  3. not entitled to administer parochial funds - make arrangements to settle up
  4. not entitled to officiate at marriages - any married by you will be in an invalid marriage
  5. if celebrating mass in disobedience must make this clear to those attending and handle monies appropriately
Grant, Charles Alexander Rev LCL BA (1906-1989)
GB ARCHON 2913 DEA-05-01-02-01-28 · Item · 20 August 1975
Part of Roman Catholic Diocese of East Anglia (RCDEA)

Went to Downham for the Mass and stayed a week. Why do you persecute a priest because he refuses to be a heretic? 5 years ago deviant behaviours (pop masses, dancing masses...) would have resulted in excommunication on the spot. Who is right Fr Baker, or those in a free for all.
Copied to Cardinal Heenan, Apostolic Delegate, Bishop Grant

Correspondent
GB ARCHON 2913 DEA-05-01-02-01-12 · Item · c. 12 August 1975
Part of Roman Catholic Diocese of East Anglia (RCDEA)

Income in the parish has increased - so, not living on a "pittance". Willing to accept position as a curate so that the parish priest from Swaffham does not have to travel to Downham. His weekly visit to the convent in Swaffham means he could easily report to the PP. Changes would be detrimental to this parish. Suggest that any priest free to officiate do so at Oxburgh instead. Not impelled to move; willing to stay.

Baker, Oswald Charles Rev (1915-2004)
Fr Oswald Baker - Latin Mass
GB ARCHON 2913 DEA-05-01-02 · Subseries · 1 January 1950 to 2 July 2004
Part of Roman Catholic Diocese of East Anglia (RCDEA)

This is a collection of documentation about Fr Baker during a period of his differences with his Bishops about the Church's approach to Latin Mass. This includes correspondence, newspaper clippings and published material.

Fr Baker served as a curate at Luton, High Wycombe and Wymondham, Norfolk, before going to Downham Market in 1949. When the New Mass came out in 1969, Fr. Baker refused to say it and continued to offer exclusively the Tridentine Latin Mass as codified by Pope St. Pius V in 1570.

In 1975 Father Baker was suspended by Bishop Charles Grant. Bishop Grant told Fr. Baker not to say Mass in his Church, so Fr. Baker said Mass in his Presbytery instead. With the help of donations a house was purchased for his presbytery and chapel, at 48 Bexwell Road, Downham Market, named the "St. Pius V Chapel". He said Mass there until his death in 2004.
In 1984 he explained that the present Pope was "no more a Catholic than Ian Paisley - and no more a pope than Billy Graham". He added that "the new Mass is a sacrilegious parody of the true Mass: it is sinful to take part in it."

Baker, Oswald Charles Rev (1915-2004)
GB ARCHON 2913 DEA-05-01-02-03-9 · Part · 6 January 1976
Part of Roman Catholic Diocese of East Anglia (RCDEA)

An article by Fr Bryan Houghton
"This article is not written to prolong the needless controversy but to bring out the real issue which lies behind the differences between Father Baker and his Bishop...."

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