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)"The site for the new St John Henry Newman Catholic primary school was blessed by Bishop Alan Hopes on 8th March in a ceremony attended by civic, education and diocesan guests." story continues.
2 images caption: "Bishop Alan blessed the new site, and, below with other guests at the ceremony"
"At a farewell Mass at the National Shrine in Walsingham, Bishop Alan Hopes of East Anglia paid a fulsome tribute to Mgr John Armitage for his hard work over the past five years as he prepared to start a new role as a priest in Canning Town, London. Here we reproduce just part of the bishops speech: 'Mgr John brought a huge amount of energy and generosity to the Shrine which I know you have loved from your early days. You created a whirlwind which has captivated and inspired so many different people in so many different ways. These last
five years have been a very significant ones in the life of the Shrine'." Story continues.
Image of Bishop Hopes and Mgr John Armitage.
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"
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
Laying out the issues which the Bishop had to consider along with the historic background and identifying the parts of relevant Canon Law, the Bishop invites Fr Baker to resign as Parish Priest in Downham Market
Grant, Charles Alexander Rev LCL BA (1906-1989)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)Quoting from an article in the Daily Telegraph which the Bishop indicates could mislead a reader with some untruths about Fr Sketch. Writing because "this and similar one-sided reports cause distress..." "... you will instruct your staff to present both sides of the picture, and not accept uncritically the propaganda of an interested party in the controversy."
Grant, Charles Alexander Rev LCL BA (1906-1989)"Bishop Alan Hopes has awarded the long-serving, Peterborough-based, Itallan missionary Sr Letizia Conati with a Diocesan Medal for her exemplary life. Fr Adam Sowa paid tribute to this wonderful lady." story continues.
image of Bishop Hopes with Sr Conati and the medal
Letter: signed by Bishop Cuthbert (chairman of the Universities Board); maintenance of Chaplains or Lecturers of service to Catholic students at Oxford and Cambridge. Appeal for funds to meet £700-800 expense of the two chaplaincies.
Instructions: "Instructions to the Parents, Superiors & Directors of Catholic Laymen who desire to study in the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge" signed by Cardinal Vaughan and all the Bishops of the Archdiocese of Westminster.
"Seven Catechumens and four Candidates entered full communion with the Catholic Church at an atospheric candlelit Easter Vigal at St John's Cathedral, Norwich. Cathedral staff had woven together an extensive and beautiful liturgy which began with the lighting of the the fire outside the West Door." Story continues
Image 1: Bishop Peter Collins baptising a candidiate
Image 2: Candidates in a line before the Altar
Image 3: Bishop lighting the Easter candle
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)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)News cutting - undated; unattributed
2 columns; using text from press release for the article.
1 image (Bp Clark & Mgr McBride) and 2 columns of text.
the article mentions: Rev Geoffrey Cook, Rev John Gardner, Mgr. McBride, Mgr Wace.
"A Catholic church in King' Lynn has marked its 125th anniversary with an altar dedication and Mass with Bishop of East Anglia, the Rt Rev Alan Hopes" Story continues.
image 1: Bishop Hopes and priests by the altar
image 2: priest with relic
image 3: view of nave and worshippers
"The Bishop of East Anglia has paid a personal tribute to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI." Story continues
image caption: "Bishop Peter Collins has paid a personal tribute to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI."
"The Bishop of East Anglia has paid a personal tribute to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who has died aged 95." Story continues
image caption: "Bishop of East Anglia, Peter Collins."
letter requesting numerous petitions to be sent to Houses of Parliament regarding Education proposals. Particular concern about Oxford and Cambridge Universities "and their special dangers to faith and morals".
Riddell, Arthur George Rev (1836-1907)