Showing 11 results

Archive Record
GB ARCHON 2913 PA02-01-01-64 · Item · 23 April 1942
Part of Our Lady and St Peter Parish, Aldeburgh

A (rough) summary translation from the Latin:
Leo, by the grace of God and of the Apostolic See, Bishop of Northamptonshire, on his knees at the feet of Your Holiness, humbly sets forth the following:
In 1923, three sisters of the congregation of the diocese, "Sisters of Mercy", with the permission of their Ordinary and of the Bishop of Northampton and Minever, arrived at Woodbridge in the Diocese of Northampton, and set up a home and school.
In 1927, the number of the sisters grew, now in Aldeburgh in the same Diocese of Northampton, in a rented house and founded the school. They seemed to be always in a better financial state than might be is they had been carefully monitored. In 1935, some sisters left and founded a convent in the Diocese Plymouth.
Taking on his diocese last year, the Bishop of Northampton discovered the sisters in two Convents: in Woodbridge and Aldeburgh. Because of the problems (of their own making) they have gone to the Archdiocese of Birmingham to start again leaving one sister in Woodbridge. The Bishop of Northampton has visited this sister and heard that the sisters are in debt to £1450. Two sick sisters are there and the religious life is disrupted.
There is little hope of addressing these difficulties, except to release these few simple sisters from debt. The Bishop of Northampton deems it necessary for the seven sisters to be assigned to the same order in the Archdiocese of Westminster.
The sisters themselves and the Superiors-General of the Congregation of Westminster gives their consent. The convent of this Congregation in Crispin Street, London, had lately been a refuge for the sisters from the Woodbridge and Aldeburgh.
For that reason, the Ordinary in Westminster and Bishop of Northampton most humbly implore the help of the Bishop of the Apostolic See to recognise these extremely difficult circumstances and allow that the sisters are provided for, and through the sale of the house and its furniture to pay the debt for Woodbridge.

Parker, Thomas Leo Rev (1887-1975)
GB ARCHON 2913 PA02-01-01-61 · Item · 20 December 1935
Part of Our Lady and St Peter Parish, Aldeburgh

Fr Flanagan is asking for permission under Canon Law to take legal action against Sister Mary of Aldeburgh Convent. Canon Tonks has a copy of the "grave statement".
Manuscript annotation (on reverse of page): "Kindly write and say that I cannot and will not grant such permission +Laurence B. of N."

Flanagan, Mortimer J Rev (-1946)
GB ARCHON 2913 PA02-01-01-62 · Item · 26 December 1935
Part of Our Lady and St Peter Parish, Aldeburgh

Fr Flanagan mentions that the Bishop's solution last April was "a thorough Visitation of the Convent". He says that he was sent to Aldeburgh to settle the Convent affair as Fr Davidson had difficulties with the Revd. Mother, and that the Bishop had promised to back him up. It would be fair & just for the Bishop to forward the letters to him so that he could provide a written answer to the "alleged charges". Fr Davidson says he has asked leave to take legal action against Sister Mary (the Superior).

Flanagan, Mortimer J Rev (-1946)
GB ARCHON 2913 PA02-01-01-59 · Item · 19 December 1935
Part of Our Lady and St Peter Parish, Aldeburgh

Fr Flanagan writing to "Monsignor" [Canon Tonks?] that he has asked the Bishop for an interview to present his documents and bring some supporting parishioners. Majority in Aldeburgh know nothing of "this agitation". The Bishop has been asked to visit on 3 occasions - he did not come. He is not being treated well with an external priest in the parish and interfering with it. Fr Davidson has written to the Vicar-General about this matter. Only fair to have a hearing.

Flanagan, Mortimer J Rev (-1946)
GB ARCHON 2913 PA02-01-01-63 · Item · 18 November 1937
Part of Our Lady and St Peter Parish, Aldeburgh

Fr Mullett describes the contents of the house all being removed except those belonging to the Diocese - his, and the housekeeper's, curtains have gone too. He is very short of money, the bank has told him he has 14/9d in the account. Being the eldest in a family of fourteen means that his father will not be able to support him. Hence can the Bishop help out even for one quarter? Fr Macgregor is happy with the Bishop's arrangements.

Mullett, James Hubert Rev (-1955)
GB ARCHON 2913 PA02-01-01-57 · Item · 26 August 1935
Part of Our Lady and St Peter Parish, Aldeburgh

Begging the Bishop to remove Fr Flanagan. in 11 months he has alienated very member of his flock in Aldeburgh and Leiston. His manner is ruse, violent and insulting. Fr Flanagan is described not as a shepherd but as a ravening wolf amongst the flock. Mr McDowell mentions both Canon Peacock and Canon Marshall who will vouch for his steadfastness.
Manuscript pencilled annotation (on reverse of page 2): "Letter considered, action later"

McDowell, J K Mr
GB ARCHON 2913 PA02-01-01-56 · Item · 25 January 1935
Part of Our Lady and St Peter Parish, Aldeburgh

Mother Superior, Sr Francis of Assisi details a long set of issues with Fr Flanagan's behaviour towards her and the convent. She describes violent and abusive actions before herself, the sisters and the laity. Despite being ill herself she say she has kept her calm and tried to manage the convent and situation despite the actions of Fr Flanagan. He tried to subvert two nuns who had to be reprimanded and sent away for a while. He has written anonymous letters about her. The remaining nuns do not want to go to services or confession with him. Can the Bishop help?

Convent of Our Lady, Aldeburgh
GB ARCHON 2913 PA02-01-01-53 · Item · 6 December 1934
Part of Our Lady and St Peter Parish, Aldeburgh

Miss Wheeler has written to Teresa Bragger about the mistreatment she has had at the hands of the nuns in Aldeburgh, Eaton House. T Bragger commiserates with her plight, cannot understand why she has been placed so far away and not in a Cottage Hospital in Aldeburgh. She recognises the overbearing behaviour of the Reverend Mother (Cecilia) and the injustice of it all. Understands that talking to Fr Davidson is not helpful since he is completely subdues by the Rev. Mother. She suggests writing to the Bishop, talking to Fr Flanagan and moving to a boarding house in Leiston. She will write back via Mrs Irwin to avoid the nuns getting hold of the letter.

Bragger, Teresa
GB ARCHON 2913 PA02-01-01-55 · Item · 25 Janaury 1935
Part of Our Lady and St Peter Parish, Aldeburgh

T Bragger asks Miss Wheeler to write and let her know if things are better. If not she will write to the Bishop. Sorry to know that Miss Irwin will not go to the convent any more. Go see Fr Flanagan often. Fr Davidson is controlled by Rev Mother Cecilia and probably thinks she is behaving honourably.

Bragger, Teresa
GB ARCHON 2913 PA02-01-01-60 · Item · undated
Part of Our Lady and St Peter Parish, Aldeburgh

She is claiming that her belongings were removed from the room(s) she had occupied at the convent into the cellar and a wooden hut. This was done whilst she was staying in a nursing home in Lambeth, London. The nuns asked her to stay there a little longer and she claims that during this time the removal was undertaken. A letter from the Sister Superior is enclosed [not present] and gives details. She claims that an illegal agreement has been substituted for the original. She also claims that money should be returned to her and that some of her belongings are damaged or missing.

Unknown