Headed: "Holmes", an undated note from the previously arranged meeting held in Norwich with Bishop Cary-Elwes.
Man is a convert from Wesleyanism; Woman is Irish, once a school teacher in Ireland; Girl aged 9.
They had previously dealt with Canon Eeles. Have not sent their child to the catholic elementary school after she attended Mrs Ridsdale's school in King's Lynn. Being "flagrant" Fr Stokes is refusing them sacraments. They threatened to go to Prot. church instead. They cite other cases where catholic children are not being sent to the catholic school. The real reason for the meeting is they have the impression that this will affect whether the boy will gain a scholarship to the High School.
Bishop advised that the boy can still gain a scholarship from the [catholic?] school; Bishop queries whether the parents will be satisfied.
Final paragraph: "Holmes was secretary of school, his wife was a nuisance to all, and he had [?] [?] he has been forgiven..." "...Case of revenge".
"My dear Fr. Abbot
I did not want to put it in a formal document, but I wish in justice to withdraw or amend, what I wrote to you the other day about the origin of the trouble between Bp. Riddell and the Benedictines of Downside over the gift by Miss Charlotte Boyd of the Slipper Chapel to Downside.
I have been going through the correspondence, and it appears from that that Miss Boyd from the commencement desired to make it over to the Benedictines.
She wrote to Bp. Riddell in this sense wishing to get his consent to this action. Bp. Riddell, however, did not take too kindly to the idea, and said he would like to place a missionar Priest at the Slipper Chapel as a centre from which he could, in time establish little Missions at Fakenham, Dereham and Wells. This was in August, 1895.
In July, 1897, she writes that the Chapel has been transferred and invested in the names of three of the Downside Benedictine Fathers.
In May, 1920, Abbot Ford asked leave to organize a Pilgrimage from Beccles and its neighbourhood to Walsingham in August, “but I am told that your Lordship would not approve of it. Will you please send me a line to say if this is so, for I should not move any farther in the project unless I was sure of your approval.”
To which Bp. Riddell answered, on May 28 1900 :
“There is only one Pilgrimage approved by me, that to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham at Lynn. I cannot approve of any other.”
I only give you these extracts to clear myself of a misrepresentation of the facts which I made, and to show how the unfortunate friction began."
Accepts the offer of the Slipper Chapel and adjacent cottage (includes 1.5 acres adjoining the chapel?). Please write to Rome to confirm this transfer.
Cary-Elwes, Dudley Charles Rev (1868-1932)Rome's decision on Sr Monica took time with three abbots and a Bishop against the move.
Outlines some family difficulties within Gillingham Hall not being helped by Fr Pillot's abusive letter to the Colonel. Glad to see the end of the line of foreign priests at Gillingham and with the removal of Fr Pillot the tyranny has come to an end. "A sad business."
The policy on this was formulated by Bp Riddell. The seat of the old Walsingham shrine was utterly destroyed - nothing remains except for some ruins in Protestant hands. King's Lynn was where Leo XIII placed the shrine. What the Anglicans do is their affair. Some Catholics think differently and advertise their pilgrimages in the Tablet - until he contacted the Tablet. Continue to remind enquirers that the shrine is at King's Lynn, an old port through which the bulk of pilgrims from the Continent made their way to the famous old Shrine.
Apologies for the shortness of the letter as still in bed with pneumonia.
Gives his permission for Mgr Freeland to be the extraordinary for the sisters in King's Lynn. Will enter this in the "Diocesan 'Nunnery' Book".
Hopes that the Fakenham-Wymondham boundary business is clear in his [other] letter.
Faculties for Fr Sproule granted, including for the nuns if required. Send names of the two ladies and the Bishop will contact Rome. Invitation to stay tempting, but too full up for now. Sorry no intentions - see if he can invent some. St Neots opening was nice but cruel hard luck for the enforced absence of Fr Malone.
Cary-Elwes, Dudley Charles Rev (1868-1932)Bickerdike was one of many excluded when the Beati list was winnowed from 250 as over 100 were turned down - perhaps later. Be careful about managing the fund (permission granted) and keep the monies for building/support separate from other monies. Recognise the need in such missions to harvest in-season to weather the off-season. Take care about the Squire - he has to change his ways before being received into the church. Exhortation to be prudent, discipline of a "common sense hardness".
Cary-Elwes, Dudley Charles Rev (1868-1932)The agreement signed and returned. Glad that Provost Freeland to open convent. Happy milestone in the history of King's Lynn.
Cary-Elwes, Dudley Charles Rev (1868-1932)I send you:
faculties for erection of Stations of the Cross at the convent
faculties pagella
ditto for Sister's confessions
ditto for duplication in K. Lynn and district
[wryly] "I think that is all you require for thepresent."
If your system for catechism is working then continue. But be on hand. Benediction after class rounds it off nicely. Fr Page, I know is not grand, but "creaking doors last longest". He would not bear an assistant and went through that trouble in the time of his predecessor Fr Colpman. I am sure he'd rather retire. Need to wait for a solution to present itself.
Cary-Elwes, Dudley Charles Rev (1868-1932)Gives his permission for Mgr Freeland to be the extraordinary for the sisters in King's Lynn.
Cary-Elwes, Dudley Charles Rev (1868-1932)Cyril is in a good place for him at Woburn Sands and will stay there for a good time. Good idea for his sister to move in with him and to get him out of "lodgings"
Cary-Elwes, Dudley Charles Rev (1868-1932)manuscript copy of a receipt sent to the solicitors for the sum of £152.
additional note: "Receipt in this form sent for the pro rata 'legacy'. Feb 21/24."
Letter of Introduction [not present] for Mgr Redmond, Vice Rector of English College in Rome, to make arrangements to meet the Holy Father. 2 suggested paragraphs for inclusion in her Will to assign a sum to the RC Diocese within which Aldeburgh is situated. £10 to the Sick Clergy Fund will ensure a Mass is said for her by every priest in the Diocese on her death.
Cary-Elwes, Dudley Charles Rev (1868-1932)[Not contemporary!]
Colour photocopy image of consecration document, plus Latin text with English translation:
MCMXXX Die 25, Aprilis - 1930 25th day of April
Edo, Dudley Carolus Cary Elwes - I, Dudley Charles Cary- Elwes
Episcus Northamptonicus, Hoc - Bishop of Northampton
Altare consecratio, et reliquaam - consecrate this Altar and the relics of
SS Martyrrii Felicis et Constantatia - Saints, Martyrs Felix and Constantia
in eo inclusi - inside it
Writing from Waterford, Ireland, Fr Malone describes his father as having had a stroke. Doctor states, at 76, he may get over it but may not. Will return to England on Friday.
Cary-Elwes, Dudley Charles Rev (1868-1932)Auctioneer has confirmed that the property at St Neots has been bought (£450 for building; £50 for benches, pulpit, etc.) on the day before Fr Malones departure [on a trip]. Passing contract on to Canon Tonks.
Cary-Elwes, Dudley Charles Rev (1868-1932)Miss V Gavin writing from Williamson's Hotel, Hunstanton.Re Walsingham, it is a matter of regret that the Catholics possess nothing which might be used as a shrine or site for a church. Advising the bishop of her discovery that a property, "The Friary", is to be let and is situated amongst the ruins of the friary itself. Walsingham is becoming an Anglican stronghold with the new shrine, a hospice for pilgrims, a repository and a workshop.
Details are: £60 per annum, agents: Messrs Falcon & Birkbeck, Estate Office, Coltishall, Norwich.
manuscript annotation: "Answered. Present official Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Walsingham is at K. Lynn, there is a statue officially chosen blessed by Pope Leo XIII in the basilica of the house of Lorretto. Old Walsingham pilgrimage ended with its destruction under Henry VIII. Oct 1/30"