Page entitled "A Clarification of facts re the Southwold Mary Gordon Legacy" signed by R F P Howarth MC "I am, yours obediently in C.J." which indicates he's a clergyman.
Provided to help make the documents held in Northampton more intelligible.
Addresses of the legal organisations involved; payments associated with the will/wishes of Mr Gordon; Gates, Cope Votive candle stand all mentioned as being in the possession of Southwold mission.
Enclosures listed [not present]: 3 signature slips for Bank; 2 petitions for faculties to receive converts; letter from Gordon a/c executors; letter from solicitor Diocese Westminster; letter from Finance Board Westminster; Proof of £13 due to Mission a/c from Gordon a/c
Annie Allnutt congratulates the Bishop n withholding consent to start building in Southwold. She is concerned over the low level of involvement of Mr & Mrs Crimmen in the recent visit by the Bishop, given their generosity in time and resources for the Mission. Asks the Bishop to be quite sure that Fr Mason is the right priest in the right place. Comments on his approach to certain congregation members of good standing - her own "unpardonable sin is that I advised Fr Mason some years ago to quit Southwold at once and seek a post in the Bishop's House where he would have work and supervision; he being young, full of life and animal spirits and fond of the good things in life." Comments that the building fund has not increased in years (except for the £100 donated by the Bishop) in spite of fund raising events.
CorrespondentApproved by Pope Benedict XV on 8 November 1915
Signed by Bishop on 5 July 1916
Signed by Fr Mason on 30 July 1916
To Miss Preston; £45 cheque received from solicitors in Manchester for distribution to poorer clergy of the Diocese. Lists 11 priests. As Fr Ketterer was the young man, going to be a priest, known to Mrs Gosselin, he has therefore received the larger sum [£2; rest received £2.10]
Cary-Elwes, Dudley Charles Rev (1868-1932)Agrees to missions with Fr Davidson one Sunday a month. Likes the plan for a Guild of St Felix and St Edmund.
Permission to offer Mass in the area - some advice on what to do - never use a bedroom to say mass in.
Saw that the ferry-boat had sunk so the railway reopening will be welcome.
Covering letter for the return of the Guild Constitution. Shilling enclosed as Bishop's subscription. Hopes to attend the Pilgrimage in August.
manuscript annotation: "Send back the Constitution, Schedules A, B."
Requests 3 additional copies of the East Anglian Guild magazine and places his order for 4 copies. 50 days indulgence included for the "devout recitation of the Guild prayer".
Cary-Elwes, Dudley Charles Rev (1868-1932)Wonderful welcome - delighted to see you settled in and happy. Parishioners like you. Shall try to become "un vescovo alla mano" [a bishop in hand]
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Bishop will have to supply at Aldborough as David [Thomson] has gone into hospital. Would like to release you, but practically, cannot do so. Let him know if cannot do the minimum. "Your people have got to realise that they are privileged to have a priest celebrating Mass." There is no replacement.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Deepest sympathy for the situation but given the circumstances normal Communion discipline pertains - she is offered the grace of the Eucharist even if she cannot receive Communion.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)"...Rome suggests that, as a general rule, girls should not be admitted to serving, and, until a significant change takes place, I am unwilling to make an official directive."
Thank you for the History of Southwold Church - set aside for reading.
The young man is not forbidden to attend an Anglican Communion Service but he is not to inter-communicate. The division of the respective churches does exist for them and they cannot go their own way on this.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)No intercommunion [underlined]. This is the "pain" whilst our two churches are unreconciled. The congregation can attend on a special occasion. Explains the underlying reason for this.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Situation is dire (not just in this diocese); may have to close two parishes as not enough priests. The Bishop asks for him to stay on another year.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Is aware that the work-load is heavy for an ageing Fr Sloan. It may sound hard but need Fr Sloan to continue for as long as possible. If circumstances alter then it should be possible to release him, so he can quietly retire.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Urges the parishioner to speak to Fr Sloan and iron out their differences. "One has to remember, on both sides, that too often we are only human and can be easily hurt."
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)BEATISSUME PATER,
Episcopus Ordinarius Northantoniensis in Anglia, ad pedes Sanctitatis V. provolutus, suppliciter rogat ut Crucem 'Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice’ concedere dignetur clarissimo viro Jacobo Crimmen de Southwold in hac Diocesi.
Praeter pietatem insignem optimamque famam qua gaudet apud omnes, Domus Crimmen speciali honore dignus videtur propter sequentes rationes.
Quum apud Southwold auxilia religiosa omnino defuerunt, de licentia Ordinarii Oratorium publicum in propriis sedibus atque ex propriis facultatibus paravit, omnesque impensas liberrime fecit ut sibi aliisque Catholicis in illis regionibus degentibus sacra nostra praesto essent. Insuper in mente habuit novam ecclesiam aedesque pariochiales aedificare, nisi rebus infeliciter transactis prohiberetur. Attamen juxtra vires et ultra vires semper sua bona in pias causas profundere non cessavit.
Die 11 Augusti proxime sequentis pecuniis ab alio benefactore legatis erectio novae ecclesiae inchoabitur. Opportunum autam putamus ut hac praesertim occasione Sanctitas Vestra pro gratia et benignitate Sua viro tam bene merito honorem praedictum concedere dignetur.
Et Deus etc.
Rough translation:
Blessed Father,
The Bishop, Ordinary of Northampton, England, kneels at the feet of Holiness V., humbly begs to the Cross 'For the Church and the Pope’ to honour the distinguished James Crimmen of Southwold in this Diocese.
In addition to his remarkable reputation, he is the best of all men distinguished for their piety, Crimmen is worthy of special honour from this house for the following reasons.
When, without the aid of the religious, not present in Southwold, and with the Ordinary’s permission he created a public Oratory from his own resources, covering all the expenses, provided me with complete freedom to place a priest there, where Catholics were living without one of their own. In addition, he planned to build a new church, but unfortunately this was not possible. However, [juxtra?] goods for pious causes, his fortitude overcame difficulties without cease.
On August 11 with additional money from another benefactor, they will begin to erect the new church. I consider it opportune for the Holy Father, for your grace, and goodness, to think that His Holiness will deign to grant the aforementioned honour to a man of such good service.
And God, etc.
Keating, William Frederick Rev (1859-1928)Note of questions (all ticked) received from Fr Sloan
- 5pm arrival
- Bishop to offer Mass - donor of the new tabernacle would be delighted
- Stay for tea - presume Bishop to have evening meal in Great Yarmouth
Canon Gerard Collins writes: Lease with Mr Stebbings. Need clarity from Fr Mossey over the intention of the tenant to pay extra rent for a renewal? Bishop concerned that offering an additional seven years at £50 per year may not be best value for money in the long term. Furthermore better not to commit when the future of Halesworth is not clear. But if Stebbings threatens to clear out then, provided the Chapter agreed, the Bishop would accept the seven years.
Typed annotation: Addressed to John [Fr Mossey] from Bill [Canon Hunting] Sending the letter onwards (please return) to save writing. Questions lease value and term - £1 p.w for a shop is not a lot.