Correspondence between East Anglia Bishops Clark & Smith with Westminster Province / Archbishop / Archbishop's Office.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Collaboration and co-operation in the work of the Lord. Speak in his own name - not an emissary from the Holy See nor the Conference of RC Bishops in England and Wales. A divided Christianity is a scandal.
"When you and I as Christians affirm the dignity of man, we mean more than does the humanist, the Marxist or the liberal agnostic. We affirm two truths." ".. man is made in the image of God....the Word has become flesh and dwells among us." Global problems which seriously threaten the well-being of the human race - hunger, military spending, war. "But even our moral influence as Christians is diminished by our evident disunity." IN the Common Declaration (29 April 1977) Pope Paul & Archbishop Coggan took up the idea voiced by ARCIC which worked closely on the Eucharist, Ministry and Authority in the Church - be reminded that neither Church has ratified the three Agreed Statements. "May I suggest that we must not only listen to each other, but together listen to what the Spirit may be saying."
Signature block - Mgr D Norris, Chancellor, Westminster
"Enclosed is a copy of the Revised Directory on Mixed Marriages" ; this superseded previous guidance on 27 November 1977.
"Priest should study the new document but the main differences are given below:-"
12 sets of dates from 17 March [1978] Westminster to 17 March [1979] Middlesborough each with contact names and telephone numbers
Archbishop's OfficeIntroduction; The Organs; Provision of a Nave Organ; The Cathedral Choir; appeal total £800,000
UnknownEmployment of married convert clergymen - difficulties in funding and housing married men and their families for most Diocese. Quotes text which he will put to the Bishops of England and Wales for approval. Asks for a response in time for the Bishops' Conference after Easter.
Hume, George Basil Rev (1923-1999)Discussion document on the proposed Roman document on Mixed Marriages. Whereas such a marriage is stated as being "illicit"; this implies that they are "valid". The requirement to not place impediments in the way of the Catholic partner, may be seen as unreasonable since the non-Catholic partner's head of church makes no such request. All that has to be done is to attend confession, after the marriage in a non-catholic church, and then can access the sacraments like any other.
Has an ecumenical impact for [Anglican–Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC)].
Form letter of appointment for a Chaplain Delegate with powers of a Vicar General for the Military Vicariate. Signature block for "Terence Cardinal Cooke, Military Vicar".
Military Ordinariate of Archdiocese for the Military Services of the United States (1917-1986)In response to the request to nominate prominent parish persons for the Low Week reception in Westminster: suggest Mayor and Mayoress of St Ives.
Kerby, Raymond Rev (?-2009)1996 Revision of the Statutes of the Society of the Holy Cross, approved by the International Synod of 4/6 April 1989 and approved by all Synods.
Society of the Holy CrossConsideration of using a BCC consultant.
Worlock, Derek John Harford Rev (1920-1996)Agrees about the salary. Has written to David Norris (Archbishop's Office) who is likely to write to Derek Worlock. Need to find the money. If it was not for the nuns at Woldingham something quite drastic would have to be done.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)A statement by the British Council of Churches.
Introduction; Affirmation; A Commitment; tear off section for signature and return
to David Norris: Regarding the request from Father John Coventry. The NCF has limited funds for such applications. Possibly provide a token of £250 but need to make sure from Bishop Clark that the Theological Commission is backing this seminar. So, as a grant from the Bishop's Conference may be taken as approbation this should be cleared with Alan Clark.
Worlock, Derek John Harford Rev (1920-1996)pg 1: 4 questions in French
pg 2: translation of the 4 questions:
- Six years ago, on 25 March 1976, you said of the relationship between the Catholic and Anglican Churches that "our sister Churches can now regard the past as dead and buried." Today, after all the work accomplished by the Join Anglican-Catholic Commission, what moves are possible which would permit a step forward to be taken?
- What are the principle obstacles at the moment to a decisive step towards the unity of the two churches?
- You have taken part in meetings of the British Council of Churches. What is the present nature of the Catholic Church's participation? Is there a prospect of full membership in the relatively near future?
- What do you expect in general from the Holy Father's visit, and in particular, in the field of ecumenism?
Form 1 (yellow) - Covenant for direct debit
Form 2 (white) - Covenant for lump sum
Cardinal (to Mrs Walker) unable to commit additional time to new projects. Suggest that Bishop Clark be contacted with a view to joining the proposed Council of Reference.
Archbishop's OfficeCovering letter for a note on the proposal for handling mixed marriages. A stumbling block. May not stay on the International Commission [ARCIC?] is the Cardinal's proposals go through.
Butler, Basil Edward Christopher Rev OSB (1902-1986)FCP has a membership of 2,000. Bishop of Elmham (Bishop Clark) gave a talk to the Peterborough Diocesan Association about ARCIC agreed statements. Wish to ask a question: "What do you now more require of us to make possible a reconciliation between our two churches?"
Federation of Catholic Priests"Note: The Bishops low Week meeting 1977 receive a proposal from their Secretariat for Non-Believers that an organisation be set up that would be concerned with non-Christian religions." Bishop Mahon was asked to prepare a paper as a basis for study.
Five references to background documents.
Content:
Title
Aims of the Commission
The Ecumenical Dimension
Structure of the Commission
Membership
Immediate action to be taken
General Comment (by Fr Sean Murphy MHM)