Being discredited by the Bishop for a love of the same Mass that the Bishop professes. Repudiate charge of being disobedient as he is following his conscience. Challenges the four area covered by the Bishop's secretary (Fr Morgan). Ludicrous allegation that Fr Baker's ministry is harmful - much support, sympathy and encouragement received. Will continue to offer Mass in Downham Market.
Baker, Oswald Charles Rev (1915-2004)Sorry about unfortunate Anglia TV broadcast - do there best but slipped up on terminology and facts. More sorry about any intemperate letters and will let it be known that they are deplored.
Baker, Oswald Charles Rev (1915-2004)Income 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)Birthday wishes for 8th to Bishop. Will need time reflect before making any comment.
Baker, Oswald Charles Rev (1915-2004)Invited to offer the traditional Mass at Newcastle on 8 August. Telling the Bishop through courtesy following his admonition in the Catholic Press. Questions whether his reasoning can be found by the Bishop to be at fault. Offers Fr Wathen's "The Great Sacrilege" as an non-refutable authority. Fr Baker is trying to do God's Will - not defiant to authority but does not agree with the requirement for blind and unquestioning obedience.
Baker, Oswald Charles Rev (1915-2004)Covering letter to an Editor [not specified] for a statement on Downham Market. Requests that 24 copies of the issue should the statement appear.
Baker, Oswald Charles Rev (1915-2004)Catholic Education Commission (CEC) application form refers. The LEA refuses a fare grant for Downham Market children as they travel more than 5 miles (i.e. 13 and 16 miles). Is there anything the Diocesan Schools Commission can do?
Baker, Oswald Charles Rev (1915-2004)This is a collection of documentation about Fr Baker during a period of his differences with his Bishops about the Church's approach to Latin Mass. This includes correspondence, newspaper clippings and published material.
Fr Baker served as a curate at Luton, High Wycombe and Wymondham, Norfolk, before going to Downham Market in 1949. When the New Mass came out in 1969, Fr. Baker refused to say it and continued to offer exclusively the Tridentine Latin Mass as codified by Pope St. Pius V in 1570.
In 1975 Father Baker was suspended by Bishop Charles Grant. Bishop Grant told Fr. Baker not to say Mass in his Church, so Fr. Baker said Mass in his Presbytery instead. With the help of donations a house was purchased for his presbytery and chapel, at 48 Bexwell Road, Downham Market, named the "St. Pius V Chapel". He said Mass there until his death in 2004.
In 1984 he explained that the present Pope was "no more a Catholic than Ian Paisley - and no more a pope than Billy Graham". He added that "the new Mass is a sacrilegious parody of the true Mass: it is sinful to take part in it."
Redemptorist publication "Christian Encounter" - reverse page for local parish notes
Page 1 - printed
Page 2 - "Are Traditionalists disobedient? (concluded)" - traditional mass dates from 1570 - persistent challenges to legality of New Mass - even the Pope will not invoke it as a legal instrument - its introduction is visible a mistake.
Redemptorist publication "Christian Encounter" - reverse page for local parish notes
Page 1 - printed, but proper of Mass crossed out
Page 2 - "Topic - Women's Dress in Church" - a description of the nature/style of dress for a woman at Mass.
"Strictly and exclusively the complete unchanged traditional Catholic Latin Mass of St Pius V at Downham Market"
LP:
CC001; Coimbra Records (Highbury Studios, Swan Yard, London N1 1SD)
Sung Mass at Downham Market - 2 sides
Celebrant Fr Oswald Baker
Side one: Introit, Kyrie, Gloria, Collect, Epistle, Gradual & Alleluia verse, Gospel, Credo, Offertory, Motet - "Exultabunt Sancti in Gloria", Preface
Side 2: Sanctus, Benedictus, Pater Noster, Agnus Dei, Communion Verse, Post Communion, Last Gospel, Message for Fr Baker.
Sleeve front: Image showing Fr Baker kneeling at an altar set for Tridentine Rite; a surrounding montage of news cuttings relating to the disagreement with the Church and Fr Oswald re Tridentine Mass celebrations post-Vatican II.
Sleeve back: Sleeve notes: Written by Michael Davies; opening paragraph "This is a recording of an actual celebration of Mass which was made in a small parish in Norfolk on the Feast of All Saints, 1975. The entire Mass is included on the record and the Latin text of the sung parts, together with an English translation, will be found inside the sleeve. "
Included document: Mass text - A3 sheet with 3 columns of Latin and English translation.
Baker, Oswald Charles Rev (1915-2004)