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)Fr D Morgan (Bishop's Secretary) provides a copy of the letter from Bishop Grant to Fr Baker, to be hand delivered by Fr Hammond. The Bishop had hoped that time would heal (the Code does not provide for a time limit to Fr Baker to reply). However, anxious by the activities of Fr Peter Morgan and the pastoral situation seemed to offer a way out without a rumpus.
Bishop's OfficeThe 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 OSB"..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)Covering letter for Decree; Fr Baker has the right to appeal to Rome.
Grant, Charles Alexander Rev LCL BA (1906-1989)Detailing the immediate consequences of the Decree sent on 20 November:
- not entitled to live in the Parish house - must be vacated without delay - contact the Bishop for support arrangements
- not entitled to use the Church - will not evict Fr Baker but will not tolerate him remaining
- not entitled to administer parochial funds - make arrangements to settle up
- not entitled to officiate at marriages - any married by you will be in an invalid marriage
- if celebrating mass in disobedience must make this clear to those attending and handle monies appropriately
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"
Tragedy that Fr Baker has decided to re-open the issue after a good compromise by Bishop Grant. Norwich Deanery priests felt strongly that it was churlish and mean-minded to turn the attack on to the Bishop's Secretary.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Every effort, long hours and many miles involved in finding bridges to attempt to persuade Fr Baker to enjoy the privacy of the Downham Market presbytery. Bishop has for many months been on TV and in print trying to explain what is at stake. "... not just a question of a liturgical rite; it is a refusal to accept the renewed mission of the Church ..."
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)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)Fr Baker celebrated Mass without approval in the old rite without permission, preached without faculties and heard confession in an unsatisfactory conditions. He is reported as saying "Since the Vatican Council there have been two churches, one of which is the modern one with new doctrines, new morality, and new liturgy. They can't excommunicate me for that Church because I have never been a member of it. But I intend to remain loyal to the real Church." He has been on radio and television and has caused us considerable embarrassment. Can you persuade him to remain in Downham Market; he intends to return in the next month?
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)Signed "A Christian". Takes Bishop Clark to task for the attacks on Fr Baker. Suggest that, as the Anglican Church does, the Catholic Church should tolerate two rites contemporaneously. Such intolerance is a grave disservice to Christian Unity and those who love their tradition.
CorrespondentFr Baker has decided to challenge the current arrangements. He has opened a Tridentine mass centre in Bethel Street in Norwic, not far from the Cathedral. Appends an extract of the digest created by the Archbishop of Birmingham of the pope's speech regarding Archbishop Lefebvre and those who support him. The position needs to be made crystal clear. The priests are to read out the instruction - Fr Baker is deliberately flouting the authority of the Church, the Holy Father and his bishops; such people are putting themselves out of communion with the same; the pope draws his authority from Christ and hence requires obedience; no priest is to celebrate the Tridentine rite with a congregation, and, no one can join him without express permission.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Receiving letters pleading for a change in diocesan decision - recently an extremely insulting one. No able to reply to all, asks Fr Baker to announce on Sunday that all letters received are not ignored but courtesy and Christian Charity should be reflected in letters
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)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
A considerable reorganisation of parishes and pastoral responsibilities in the area of Dereham and Swaffham. Downham Market will become part of the Swaffham parish with Fr Peter Marsh as its first parish priest; it may be re-established as a parish in the future. Fr Baker must be living on a pittance now that RAF Marham has its own chaplain. Providing him with an overview of intentions which will not happen until arrangements have been made for Fr Baker.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Suggest Canons Burditt and Frost and Frs Philpot and Wace for Commission on the division of the [Northampton] Diocese.
Downham Market is an issue on which we must stand - "whatever the personal holiness of Ossie (and God alone is the Judge here), he is corrupting a holy thing - and this is the hidden evil." Unwavering leadership is required. Confront Ossie with the obedience he owes, and, that the Pope has formally specified the circumstances in which the rite may be celebrated.
Tony Sketch should be given Downham market as his charge and say a publicised Mass there.
PPs (Aldeburgh, Wymondham, Felixstowe and Ipswich) make change-over on October 7th.
T 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.
Requesting that he attends in Northampton to discuss the situation in Downham Market and that of Fr Baker. Having put the Bishop off at the last moment, the Bishop says that he expects Fr Baker to attend next week.
Grant, Charles Alexander Rev LCL BA (1906-1989)