Bishop Clark 's pastoral letter for Sunday 2 March 1986 appeals for men to offer themselves for the priesthood. Currently, 125 priests serve in the diocese with 11 in training. More priests are needed as numbers of priests decline and the Catholic congregation increases - from 65,000 ten years ago to 80,000 now.
Dowsey, Gary Rev (1955-)News cutting - undated; unattributed
2 columns; using text from press release for the article.
"The Vatican has granted permission for another former Anglican clergyman, a married man, to be ordained priest in the Roman Catholic Church." Mr. John Heley was CofE vicar at St Edmund's Hunstanton.
Permission had also been given for two other former Anglican ministers earlier in the year.
2 versions on the same press release
pg 1 for non-weeklies e.g. EDP, Anglia TV - first paragraph: " Roman Catholics from three counties are meeting next month for the biggest ever assembly to be staged by the Diocese of East Anglia."
pg 2 for "weeklies"; first paragraph: "Wisbech [this word to be changed to suit locality] Roman Catholics are joining parishioners from three counties at the biggest ever assembly..."
Describes the need to develop a five-year strategy to alleviate the impact of the falling number of priests by inviting the laity to undertake particular roles. Mgr Paul Hypher is the assembly's coordinator.
Describes the need for laity involvement in the diocese and the assembly called by the Bishop to consider and address the issue.
Eastern Evening News (1882-)pg 1: Clerical appointments by Bishop Clark
pg 2: Appointment of Parish Priests; Appointment of Assistant Priests
Assembly at St Bede's School in Cambridge on July 18 wherein the laity and clergy of the diocese of East Anglia will "attempt to solve the problem of a shortage of priests..."
Catholic HeraldIncome 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)On 16 December 2018 Fr Pat Clearly marked 40 years since his ordination. He was also installed as Parish priest at Our Lady and St Thomas of Canterbury in Wymondham.
The Catholic Universe (1860-2021)Given by Fr Dowsey: The assistant priest at Newmarket is now on indefinite leave from the diocese after discussions with Bishop Clark.
manuscript annotation: "Statement issued for the 'News of the World' (Wed April 17 1985)"
Cambridge Evening News article: outlines a "mystery" about the whereabouts of Fr Roy Gathercole. Fr Marsh, Newmarket is to give the congregation an explanation on Sunday.
Cambridge NewsA report on the permission to be ordained for a married man as a Catholic priest. Date not yet set for the ordination.
Catholic Herald2 articles in on cutting
- Description of the visit by Archbishop Barbarito to the region.
- Use of laity for vital tasks because the diocese has too few priests. Bishop Clark called a special assembly to discuss the topic. Despite recent ordinations, there is going to be a shortfall of priests.