Await the Church commissioners. Hope there will not be a mountain of legal fees. Fr Richmond spoke well that the best use for the church is the purpose for which it was built.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Good news. Proper legal transfer is necessary. Will ask Peter Wilson to set up the negotiations.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Having a church would be a great blessing, but need to be cautious with ancient buildings. Will need to examine the quinquennial reports of the Anglican Diocesan surveyors.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Issues about the church: suitable for today's liturgy, etc,; whether a financial transaction is involved; enough money for necessary restoration. No diocesan funds at the moment - the bishop has his own roof problem!
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Page 1: Letter - inclined to let All Saints drop
Page 2: transcript of letter from Fr Richmond of 12 June 1978
Understand that the Anglican authorities may need to declare All Saints redundant during a reorganisation. Express sympathy to the Vicar and his congregation at the loss but offset this by saying the Roman Catholic community would greatly benefit if it was released to them. Good to have met you and your wife on Wednesday.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Rev K V Ensor's letter touched the Bishop deeply and precious to receive especially from an Evangelical Anglican. Shares the need not to tamper with doctrine under the rubric of spurious ecumenism. The doctrine of the RC Church is embodies in the New Order of Mass which is shared substantially with the Anglican Communion. The Church is not an abstraction; it is for the episcopate to discern what is to be done in the development of the Catholic faith.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Sketching out the agenda for the Hierarchy Meeting and for the debate of the Statutes. Perhaps Cormac, Pat Kelly, Vincent and self, etc. to meet. Points to make:
- dispensation from celibacy for married clergy judged suitable candidates for priesthood
- Holy Father and CDF said be "generous" and "flexible" - too hasty a response will send wrong signals
- several Bishops (Southwark, Arundel & Brighton, East Anglia) putting their men through a two year part time course at Wonersh - two years should be a minimum.
- time prior to preparation should include that already undertake
- ordination should not be presumed
- finance needs spelling out
Surprised the Cardinal revealed all - picked up by Catholic Herald and the Telegraph - have since turned down an invitation to speak on Radio 4. Cormac has been in contact. Major hurdles itemised by Bishop Clark in respect to the nature of the ministry of married (and elderly/pensionable) Anglican Clergy within the Catholic Church; managing the sceptics in Rome notwithstanding some Bishops already have candidates in training; use of a Canon Lawyer (Peter Smith ideal). Suggests a structure to clarify lines of responsibility, if the post holders are agreed. Started moving personal effects in to the retirement bungalow - "I wonder whether my hunch will be verified/vindicated."
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Thank you for your letter. Had not realised the celebration may be used as a protest about the Synod vote for Anglican/Methodist reunion. Will arrange an ordination to attend.
Guazzelli, Victor Rev (1945-2004)Bishop William [Llewellyn] of Lynn cannot attend due to a prior engagement. Prays that the chapel will be well used for pryaer fo runity. Notes that Fr Wace is leaving Lynn soon and thanks him for all that he has done to facilitate the progress of Christian Unity.
CorrespondentBishop of Norwich [Lancelot Fleming] dleighetd to hear the handover went so well. Church of England clergy heartened by Bishop Grant's demonstration of ecumenical intention. Hope that there will no be any legal problems.
CorrespondentBishop of Norwich [Lancelot Fleming] writing about problems associated with the Bishop of Northampton taking on responsibility for Red Mount Chapel. 1. is it in King's Lynn Borough's power to effect this handover? 2. Whilst happy for planned ecumenical use, shoudl it be handed over to KL's Council of Churches? Composition of committee of management. Waiting for a reply from Bishop Grant. He hopes these can be resolved easily.
[manuscript annotations in pencil on reverse - notes arising from the letter] [by Fr Hammond?]
The last letter was written in haste; happy to have Fr Trafford, an experienced priest in Beccles; wished wedding at Hoveton to be valid as Canon Roberts serves the chapel, not Fr Whyatt.
John Todhunter: no mention of legal difficulties; he'd implied that the pope wished "fraternise" with CofE and that was why non-Catholics should marry Catholics. Happy to hear Gillingham Hall is secure for the future. Knows nothing about Trust money being connected with the Church and Cemetery.
Gorleston and Ministry Loan: Heard from Fr McBride about joint liability between parishes. If a loan is not required then the diocese could use this but have not yet decided on the matter.
Beccles loan and debt: the return provides for misunderstanding on the nature and amount of debt. If paid off then you are to be congratulated. There is still a need for clarity so the bishop can understand how the parish is situated financially.
Page 1: Letter from Bishop referring to "last Sunday, November 14", when he celebrated Mass at the Chapel. He had spoken about the attached questionnaire regarding use of the Mass centre which needs an agreement from the congregation. Points raised: 1. No church will be built in Hemsby; 2. Offer of use of Anglican Church all year round; 3. Preserve own Chapel - as a fall back option - for community use.
Page 2: Questionnaire with 3 Yes/No questions to be returned to Fr Hyland
Newsletter with diary of Church events and parish news. Includes a ballot paper on All Saints Church scheme for residents to complete and return to the Rectory.
Isaacson, Cecil J RevWill speak to the vicar of St Margaret's about what the CofE's approach is to the new ratings concessions for chartiable and religious establishments. Notes that the renegare priest from Lancaster is in town and seen at mass.
Sammons, Francis Ethelbert Clowes Rev (1925-1975)Anglican / Roman Catholic Relations
pg 0: Contents
pg 1-2: General Situation; Five Problems; Suggested action
pg 3: Appendix A - Anglican Orders
Pg 4-5: Appendix B - Women Priests
Pg 6: Appendix C - Nature of the Church
A brief report on the visit to the Holy Father on 5th May 1979. Memorandum for the visit complied and copy provided to Archbishop Coggan. Lists documents which express the RC church;'s stance on the ordination of women. Hume did put four question to the Pope about ordination of women and requested the Pope's answers as being helpful to both Hume and Coggan. Discussed at length the attitude towards Anglican Orders, Hume said "... the resolution of the problem of Orders should proceed with our attempts to reach agreement on the nature of the Church and the content of the Faith."
Hume, George Basil Rev (1923-1999)Covering letter for the final (embargoed) copy of the address to be given to the General Synod on 1 February 1978.
Copies gone to all Bishops. The help provided by Bishop Clark and Dick [Stewart] has been the making of it.
Sorry about Bishop Clark's anxieties for his father.