Responding to a correspondent about situation at Downham Market. "I share your anxiety about Downham Market, and for some time now I have been endeavouring to find a viable solution to this unhappy problem." People with cars can drive to Oxburgh or Swaffham - but this is far from a happy solution.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Birthday wishes for 8th to Bishop. Will need time reflect before making any comment.
Baker, Oswald Charles Rev (1915-2004)Concerned about the saga concerning Downham Market. Great respect for Fr Sketch in the short time he has been with the parish he has cone a great deal. There are many who feel that Fr Sketch is well able to tackle the problem.
CorrespondentT E Burns (Editor) to Bishop Clark advising him that a piece on Downham Market will be in The Tablet Notebook that week. "Since writing it, I have discovered that Downham Market is also the headquarters of the Counter Reform goings on of the Abbe Nantes, etc. etc. so perhaps Fr Baker is something rather different from the 'exemplary and devoted priest' that I depicted."
Mention that the CTS reissue of "Apostolicae Curea" is causing a convert some distress; the Bishop had written to him to say that such discussions should be available.
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)Massive incoming post causes delay. Can debate the central point of the letter: the inadequacy of the New Order Mass compared to the Tridentine Mass. Vatican II debated extensively and profoundly and from there was promulgated the "Constitution of the Sacred Piturgy" in 1963 from which came the April 1969 Apostolic letter of Pope Paul. Fr Baker has known of the1970 Hierarchy directive and has deliberately put his Bishop in an impossible position but is following Canon Law; he could have acted summarily.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)The root of the trouble at Downham Market is not the use of Latin but the disobedience of Fr Baker. Catholics not properly prepared for the changes, hence those being upset. Arbitrary experimentation by some priests have not helped - hence a longing for the old familiar Mass. The new rite has been established as valid and free form doctrinal error.
Barker, Marion Tess OSBInvited to offer the traditional Mass at Newcastle on 8 August. Telling the Bishop through courtesy following his admonition in the Catholic Press. Questions whether his reasoning can be found by the Bishop to be at fault. Offers Fr Wathen's "The Great Sacrilege" as an non-refutable authority. Fr Baker is trying to do God's Will - not defiant to authority but does not agree with the requirement for blind and unquestioning obedience.
Baker, Oswald Charles Rev (1915-2004)Asks Fr Baker not to make another public trip to Newcastle. Fr Baker has broken Church laws. If Fr Baker has trouble with the Novus Ordo Mass then he can say it in the former rite "sine populo" [without the people] - do this and no more. Better to stay in Downham Market
Lindsay, Hugh Rev (1927-2009)Pastoral letter on the theme of sin and reconciliation.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Presents the existence and context of a Lenten Pastoral letter from Bishop Alan Clark
Dowsey, Gary Rev (1955-)The trial [G Achilli v Dr John Henry Newman, 1852] expenses are upwards of £7,500 of which £2,000 have been promised. This is an appeal for donations towards these costs.
manuscript annotation "The Collection at Cossey amounted to £3"
Covering letter from Cardinal John Simeoni & the Archbishop of Tyre for a letter (translated into English) from the Sacred Congregation of the Propegation of the Faith declaring that Catholics should be dissuaded from sending their sons to Oxford and Cambridge Universities.
Letter: signed by Bishop Cuthbert (chairman of the Universities Board); maintenance of Chaplains or Lecturers of service to Catholic students at Oxford and Cambridge. Appeal for funds to meet £700-800 expense of the two chaplaincies.
Instructions: "Instructions to the Parents, Superiors & Directors of Catholic Laymen who desire to study in the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge" signed by Cardinal Vaughan and all the Bishops of the Archdiocese of Westminster.
Lent and Holy Week; we are a cause of suffering to each other
(suggestion to priest: preface reading out the letter with the Bishop's personal words provided)
Bishops rarely write about themselves in their Pastoral Letters - more about how we stand with God; believing in the Good News; Lent is a time for loving; prepare for the Pope's visit; savage reactions in the Catholic Press; what is there to fear?; "The pilgrimage is hard going at times but the company is wonderful"
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Passion Sunday and Holy Week; Holy Year to mark 1,950th anniversary of Christ's death; actions for self renewal; suffering all around you; open the door to someone in need
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Bishop's heraldry on cover
More than just "fish-on-Fridays"; realism not kill-joy message; Diocesan Social Welfare Commission set up, chaired by Fr P Shryane; a new programme; more details to come
Bishop's heraldry on cover
Title is "I Love the Church"; 20 years since Second Vatican Council; Kipling verse - the what, why, when, how and who of the Church; seeking answers to those questions; training of ministers to enable both forms of communion
Bishop's heraldry on cover
"Called to Serve" consultation; 1987 Synod preparation; the priest is the cornerstone; he is mobile and ready to take on new responsibilites; 11 students in training for the priesthood - some more to come; invitiation to become priests; 10 years as a diocese