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.
Baker, Oswald Charles Rev (1915-2004)"..It is only just to you to hear from me the extent of the reasons why this change in the status of Downham Market has been judged imperative by both the Bishop and myself."
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Went to Downham for the Mass and stayed a week. Why do you persecute a priest because he refuses to be a heretic? 5 years ago deviant behaviours (pop masses, dancing masses...) would have resulted in excommunication on the spot. Who is right Fr Baker, or those in a free for all.
Copied to Cardinal Heenan, Apostolic Delegate, Bishop Grant
Concerned about the saga concerning Downham Market. Great respect for Fr Sketch in the short time he has been with the parish he has cone a great deal. There are many who feel that Fr Sketch is well able to tackle the problem.
CorrespondentFr baker had issued detailed directives about what women could wear. The Bishop thought that a general directive might be more adequate - he had no idea of the lead up which horrifies him. "In many ways this miserable affair has only just begun" but your bishops are trying to find a solution compatible with Catholic faith - likely to be firm action.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Acknowledges that he had read the Downham Market article and advised others to read it. The holiness of Fr Baker is for God to judge but his ministry leaves a lot to be desired; have tried to contain this because of the hurt and scandal its disclosure would cause; this assumption of holiness hurts other priests in the area. "It is appalling that Downham Market has associated itself with the Abbe of Nantes."
Short discussion of Apostolicae Curae; leave off the offensive "final decision" from the front cover.
The proceedings of Oxford was kept completely confidential but the last sentence of the press release is a "humble and abiding confidence in what we are doing."
Detailing the immediate consequences of the Decree sent on 20 November:
- not entitled to live in the Parish house - must be vacated without delay - contact the Bishop for support arrangements
- not entitled to use the Church - will not evict Fr Baker but will not tolerate him remaining
- not entitled to administer parochial funds - make arrangements to settle up
- not entitled to officiate at marriages - any married by you will be in an invalid marriage
- if celebrating mass in disobedience must make this clear to those attending and handle monies appropriately
An article by Fr Bryan Houghton
"This article is not written to prolong the needless controversy but to bring out the real issue which lies behind the differences between Father Baker and his Bishop...."
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."
pg 1: Clerical appointments by Bishop Clark
pg 2: Appointment of Parish Priests; Appointment of Assistant Priests
"The Vatican has granted permission for another former Anglican clergyman, a married man, to be ordained priest in the Roman Catholic Church." Mr. John Heley was CofE vicar at St Edmund's Hunstanton.
Permission had also been given for two other former Anglican ministers earlier in the year.
"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.
The IndependentA short report on the permission to be ordained for married man as a Catholic priest.
Eastern Daily PressA report on the permission to be ordained for a married man as a Catholic priest. Date not yet set for the ordination.
Catholic Herald2 articles in on cutting
- Description of the visit by Archbishop Barbarito to the region.
- 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.
"Norwich: St John the Baptist Cathedral bid a sad farewell to much-loved priest Fr Arockilya Seelan on Sunday 27th January.
"Go, eat the fat, drink the sweet wine." With these words from Ezra the priest the congregation was sent out following a farewell Mass for Fr Seelan attended by over 300 people who turned out to wish him all the best for his new role and to thank him for his great contribution to St John's, particularly as chaplain at the
hospital. ..."
Fr Francis McDermott was found guilty of 18 counts of historic child sex offences. A Catholic priest has been jailed for nine years and 11 months. McDermott, 75, abused six victims, some as young as 10, in London, Norwich, and High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, between 1971 and 1978, Aylesbury Crown Court heard.
See links to news articles below.
"East Anglia: A Celebration of Priesthood Massand lunch took place at Our Lady of the Annunciation in Poringland and at the Bishop's White House on 13th June." Article continues...
Image with caption: "Pictures above with Bishop Alan Hopes (centre) outside the White House, are from the left, Fr Michael Vulliamy, Fr Roger Spencer, Fr Anthony Shryane and Fr Denys Lloyd."
Story 1: "at the end of last year Bienn Carlo Manuntag, a seminarian from the Diocese of East Anglia, took another step in his journey towards priesthood when he received the Ministry of Acolyte". Story contnues. Image of Bienn Carlo receiving the bread from Bishop Philip Egan; Image of Bienn Carlo with Bishop Egan and another seminarian.
Story 2: "The parish of Our Lady and St Thomas of Canterbury in Wymonsham has given a warm vwelcome to its new assistant priest, Fr Denis Gallagher." Story continues. Image of Fr Gallagher serving weekly open lunch.
"A Catholic priest who 'died' twice' and spent five weeks in critical care battling coronavirus has saluted the medical effots amd religious guidance which helped him pull through." Story continues.
Image caption "Father Michael 'died' twice while battling coronavirus at Queen Elizbeth Hospital in King's Lynn"