Thanks for informing the Bishop about the meeting and the points raised. He does not expect immediate change but dialogue, patience and forbearance will needed all round to accommodate different sensitivities involved.
Smith, Peter David Gordon Rev LLB JCD (1943-2020)Letter awaiting him on return from Ad Limina visit [Rome]. Not surprised about the difficulties - need to tackle Fr Dobson about progress. Thanks VG for his efforts and hopes his Holy Land visit refreshed him.
Smith, Peter David Gordon Rev LLB JCD (1943-2020)Despite the meeting with Dean at King's Lynn on 17 July, no further meetings have been held. It is the PP to call them. The Bishop's visitation on 24 September: a meeting was held in Hunstanton but no-one from Dersingham knew of it. This is not going well. Need to know the arrangements so can inform five youngsters preparing for confirmation what is planned.
Shryane, Philip Bernard Rev (1950-)Meeting held with VG chairing it; points raised where:
- Change in mass timetable - for Hunstanton and Dersingham; £10 for each Sacramental visit, as no Collection is received by the parish from Dersingham
- Confessions timetable
- One newsletter - 4p per copy for those sent to Dersingham
- One pastoral council
- All notices to be given by PP
- Dersingham decisions discussed with PP
- PP to have a key to Dersingham church
- Diocesan Mailing lists to reflect one parish
Deacon Matthews asked for time to consider these.
PP now has a list of Dersingham parishioners.
PP reliant on Deacon and parishioners to develop the integration of Hunstanton and Dersingham.
The honest answer to the direct question will neither be a "yes" or a "no". This is why he asked for a personal meeting in Hunstanton and a discussion with the doctor. Long time since had any spirits. Only touched altar wine. Alcohol was a danger in the past - the Bishop has little experience of mission work - Hunstanton is not an easy post. Fr Flynn considers he made a fatal mistake in not seeing the Bishop much earlier. The doctor will be sending a report under separate cover.
Flynn, Charles S Rev (-1943)Outlines the limited progress since the meeting of 5 June 1997 between Hunstanton (Fr Dobson) and Dersingham (Deacon Matthews). Frustration is high and there is concern about the reception the Bishop will get from Dersingham parishioners who feel abandoned - "a minefield".
Shryane, Philip Bernard Rev (1950-)Bishop is looking for signs of healing and growth. Four points made by the chair:
- on-going situation in Hunstanton Parish - needs to be explored to make progress
- Dersingham people feel hurt, rejected and isolated
- Lack of communication is a problem
- Weekday Mass may help heal/restore Dersingham people.
Discussion on the above points.
Notes on the meeting with a few paragraphs at the end of personal observations.
Questions about the disposition of the residue of Miss Insley's will - some should fund a priest in Dersingham; FR Michael Rear is giving great spiritual guidance; discussion about actions of Fr Dobson and scale of support for him; concern over the Mass being stopped - parishioners rejected, hurt, isolated; concern that Fr Dobson had not been given guidance himself as to expectations in this country after so long in Africa; appreciated that Fr Shryane was there to listen and represent the Bishop.
Own comments: breakdown of communication; unsure where the truth lies; meeting to be held at St George's in Norwich
[Notes were written for the Bishop - "you have a visitation there sometime in the autumn"]
Faxed from St George's on 13 June - a copy of the St Cecilia Newsletter with a paragraph highlighted in which Deacon Matthew mentions the meeting on the 5th June and asks readers to continue to write to the Bishop to tell him their side of the story. He will be seeing the Bishop on 16 June.
Matthews, Len Rev