"In his first Christmas message as the new Bishop of East Anglia, the Rt Rev Peter Collins looks at the good news that enlightens a world threatened by darkness." Story continues
image caption: "The Episcopal Ordination of Peter Collins as the fifth Bishop of East Anglia"
"..It is only just to you to hear from me the extent of the reasons why this change in the status of Downham Market has been judged imperative by both the Bishop and myself."
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Compliments slip: Bishop Secretary: "Tony Sketch will arrange to deliver the enclosed - less the carbon - to all Downham Market parishioners when he distributes his invitations to the real Mass."
Page 1: letter to the congregation at Downham Market - explaining, now that the legal procedure is over, the sorrow he feels in acting against Fr Baker. Obedience to the Holy Father means accepting the changes away from the Tridentine Mass. Expects support for Fr Sketch. Notes of explanation included.
Page 2-3: Notes headed: "1. Your present position"; "2. The Missal of Pope Paul VI"; "3. The Bishop's dealings with Fr Baker"
Expectation that priests and laity obey and respect the Pope and Bishops and celebrate Mass and Sacraments in the Church's way. Warning against attending an unofficial Latin Mass. Establishes that Archbishop Lefebvre and supporters are opposed to Vatican II and are operating outside the orders of the Pope and Bishops. To attend their Mass is to risk parting company with the Pope and the Catholic Church.
Lindsay, Hugh Rev (1927-2009)Invited 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)The proposed Mass has no ecclesiastical authority - Fr Baker has not sought leave to offer Mass. Despite Fr Baker's defence of following his conscience he has overlooked the duty to educate his conscience - cites a few examples. Bishop says the Fr Baker is neglecting the guidance of Vatican II, the Pope, Bishop Grant and Bishop Clark. Even if you cannot accept these, consider deeply before leaving Downham Market to share your personal difficulties in other dioceses.
Lindsay, Hugh Rev (1927-2009)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)Newspaper articles/images; born digital; published in broadsheet format
This edition carries the story with images of the Ordination of Canon Peter Collins as the 5th Bishop of East Anglia
Morris, Keith"More than 40 bishops have descended on Norwich for a two-day summit meeting", story continues.
image 1 caption: "More than 40 bishops descended on Norwich on Tuesday for a summit meeting."
image 2 caption: "Bishop of Norwich Graham Usher, with Archbishop Justin Welby and Cardinal Vincent Nichols"
image 3 caption: "More than 40 bishops descended on Norwich"
"More than 40 bishops have descended on Norwich for a summit meeting", story continues.
image 1 caption: "More than 40 bishops descended on Norwich on Tuesday for a summit meeting."
image 2 caption: "Bishop of Norwich Graham Usher, with Archbishop Justin Welby and Cardinal Vincent Nichols"
image 3 caption: "More than 40 bishops descended on Norwich"
Page 1: Statement by Bishop Clark made to the editor of The Catholic Herald (instead of the answers given in page 2).
Page 2: Written questions for Bishop Clark - manuscript answers