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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."

Cambridge Evening News article: outlines a "mystery" about the whereabouts of Fr Roy Gathercole. Fr Marsh, Newmarket is to give the congregation an explanation on Sunday.

2 articles in on cutting

1. Description of the visit by Archbishop Barbarito to the region.
2. Use of laity for vital tasks because the diocese has too few priests. Bishop Clark called a special assembly to discuss the topic. Despite recent ordinations, there is going to be a shortfall of priests.

preparation for lent; Reconciliation sacrament - "New Rite of Penance". Archbishop Dwyer's message [not present] - giving to CAFOD; Priests' Education Fund - To train 5 or 6 priests at £1,000 per annum each man.

News cutting - undated; unattributed
2 columns; using text from press release for the article.

"For the third time in two months, the Pope has given permission for a former Anglican priest to be ordained as a Catholic priest." Comment from Peter Cornwall, one of the earlier priests referred to. Comment by the author on celibacy in the priesthood.

Assembly at St Bede's School in Cambridge on July 18 wherein the laity and clergy of the diocese of East Anglia will "attempt to solve the problem of a shortage of priests..."

Pope Benedict and "Year for Priests"; diocesan theme is "Sacrificial Love"; fewer priests for the future; 53 parishes, 4 without full-time priests, 17 will retire in the next 10 years; 6 seminarians; average age is 59; plans for sharing & using priests; expectations by parishioners of their priests are high; collection for East Anglia Sick and Retired Priests Fund; Report written for 5 yearly Ad Lima visit in Rome - difficulties, but overall positive

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.

Pg 2-5: Pastoral Letter - Baptism; Christianity; darkness/evil in the world; St Christopher (American "Christophers") ; 39 students in seminaries
Pg 6-21: Ecclesiastical Fund, 1954 - table listing named donations within each parish
Pg 22: Notices
Pg 23: A Prayer for Priests; A Short Indulgenced Ejaculation

Detailing the immediate consequences of the Decree sent on 20 November:

1. not entitled to live in the Parish house - must be vacated without delay - contact the Bishop for support arrangements
2. not entitled to use the Church - will not evict Fr Baker but will not tolerate him remaining
3. not entitled to administer parochial funds - make arrangements to settle up
4. not entitled to officiate at marriages - any married by you will be in an invalid marriage
5. if celebrating mass in disobedience must make this clear to those attending and handle monies appropriately

Sudbury Parish address embossed on front cover
346: Notanda: Lenten Dispensation, Collections, Special Faculties, Quemadmodum, Easter Communion, Quarant Ore,
347-361: Lent Pastoral letter - Priest-Soldiers, Prohibition of Military Service, The earliest Legislation, Recalcitrants, The Catholic Priesthood, The Priest i Wartime, Military value of the Priest, 1. With the Civil populations, 2. With the Forces, Summary
362-363: Notanda: Holy Oils, Peter's Pence, Ecclesiastical Fund and Poor School Fund, Collections for 1916, Remittance of Moneys
364-368: 1915 - Ecclesiastical Education Fund / Church Collections / Diocesan Poor Schools

Pg 2-6: Pastoral Letter - Need 6 priests per year, 36 in seminary, 21 in Colleges; Ordination; schisms; China - Peking; John XXIII
Pg 7: Notices
Pg 8-27: Ecclesiastical Fund, 1958 - table listing named donations within each parish
Pg 28: A Prayer for Priests; A Short Indulgenced Ejaculation

A short report on the permission to be ordained for married man as a Catholic priest.

Describes the need for laity involvement in the diocese and the assembly called by the Bishop to consider and address the issue.