Responding to a correspondent about situation at Downham Market. "I share your anxiety about Downham Market, and for some time now I have been endeavouring to find a viable solution to this unhappy problem." People with cars can drive to Oxburgh or Swaffham - but this is far from a happy solution.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Birthday wishes for 8th to Bishop. Will need time reflect before making any comment.
Baker, Oswald Charles Rev (1915-2004)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.
CorrespondentT E Burns (Editor) to Bishop Clark advising him that a piece on Downham Market will be in The Tablet Notebook that week. "Since writing it, I have discovered that Downham Market is also the headquarters of the Counter Reform goings on of the Abbe Nantes, etc. etc. so perhaps Fr Baker is something rather different from the 'exemplary and devoted priest' that I depicted."
Mention that the CTS reissue of "Apostolicae Curea" is causing a convert some distress; the Bishop had written to him to say that such discussions should be available.
Fr 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)Massive incoming post causes delay. Can debate the central point of the letter: the inadequacy of the New Order Mass compared to the Tridentine Mass. Vatican II debated extensively and profoundly and from there was promulgated the "Constitution of the Sacred Piturgy" in 1963 from which came the April 1969 Apostolic letter of Pope Paul. Fr Baker has known of the1970 Hierarchy directive and has deliberately put his Bishop in an impossible position but is following Canon Law; he could have acted summarily.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)The root of the trouble at Downham Market is not the use of Latin but the disobedience of Fr Baker. Catholics not properly prepared for the changes, hence those being upset. Arbitrary experimentation by some priests have not helped - hence a longing for the old familiar Mass. The new rite has been established as valid and free form doctrinal error.
Barker, Marion Tess OSBInvited to offer the traditional Mass at Newcastle on 8 August. Telling the Bishop through courtesy following his admonition in the Catholic Press. Questions whether his reasoning can be found by the Bishop to be at fault. Offers Fr Wathen's "The Great Sacrilege" as an non-refutable authority. Fr Baker is trying to do God's Will - not defiant to authority but does not agree with the requirement for blind and unquestioning obedience.
Baker, Oswald Charles Rev (1915-2004)Asks Fr Baker not to make another public trip to Newcastle. Fr Baker has broken Church laws. If Fr Baker has trouble with the Novus Ordo Mass then he can say it in the former rite "sine populo" [without the people] - do this and no more. Better to stay in Downham Market
Lindsay, Hugh Rev (1927-2009)Pastoral letter on the theme of sin and reconciliation.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Presents the existence and context of a Lenten Pastoral letter from Bishop Alan Clark
Dowsey, Gary Rev (1955-)Quotation from 1 Peter v 6-8; "Was ever Exhortation and Admonition more apposite and proper than in these Times, when Infidelity and Irreligion make such Havock and Destruction?"; exhorts to fasting and avoiding the wrath of God
final para: "In consideration of the Dearness of Provisions, the Allowances for Lent this year (1794) in the Middle District are the same as they were last year."
signed by Bp Thomas Talbot
Lenten pastoral letter themed on Moses' and the Israelites' exodus from Egypt.
Final paragraph: "Owing to the peculiar distress of the times, the use of flesh meat is permitted in this district, on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning with the first Sunday, and ending on Thursday in Passion Week inclusively. The use of eggs is allowed for all days except Friday and the last four days. Cheese is forbidden on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday."
signed by Bishop Charles Berington (Titular Bishop of Hiero-Caesarea), manuscript signature "Dr Chas. Berington"
Addressed to "Rev Chamberlayne, Cossey Hall, Norwich."
Written across the address:
"Bp. Berington's Pastoral for the Lent of 1778. Generally understood to have been written up by Mr Wilks"
"B. Bp. Berington died in the same year suddenly on the road between Long Birch & Wolverhampton with no one with him but Rev. [illegible] Kirk"
Pages 3 to 6 of a Lenten pastoral letter
signed by Bishop John Milner [Titular Bishop of Castabala] VAMD [Vicar Apostolic Midland District]
Lenten pastoral letter. Details the dispensations for Lent "... in consideration of the distresses of the times and the pepidity od modern Catholics..."
Footnote: contains three messages
priests are disallowed from ecclesiastic functions if they refuse to acknowledge "... that Pius VII is neither a heretic nor schismatic , nor the author or abettor of heresy or schism."
Rev Dr O'Conor has no spiritual faculties in the District and i fhe persists in publishing irrreligious and schismatic errors he is not to receive any sacrament.
Continue to pray for Pius VII as they were ordered upon the first news of his captivity and anti-christian persecution [imprisoned by the French from 1809 to 1814].
signed by John, Bishop of Castabala, Vic. Apost.
Bishop's OfficeWarning the clergy to take care of their flocks to avoid spreading [the] infection of turbulency and revolution.
Postscript warns clergy and laity not to sign anything without their Bishop supporting such declarations as the Vicars Apostolic are not kept informed of what is being agreed with "statesmen". Hence, be not " pursuaded to sign or to countenance the signing of any public instrument in which the interests of our Holy Religion are concerned, on the grounds that it contains nothing against Religion."
signed by John MiIner DD Vic. Ap. Mid. Dist.
Addressed to Rev Macdonald, Worksop Manor, Northamptonshire.
Lenten Pastoral Letter, signed by John Bishop of Castabala VA MD [John MiIner DD Vic. Ap. Mid. Dist.]
Addressed: "Rev Mr. Husenbeth, at Sir Geo. Jerningham, Cossey, nr Norwich"
Bishop's OfficeLenten Pastoral Letter, signed by John, Bishop of Castabala Vicar Apostolic
Marginalia: "alluding to the miracles of Prince Hohenlohe"
addressed to "Rev Husenbeth, Cossey Hall, Norwich"
Bishop Thomas Walsh is directed by Bishop Milner to issue an amendment in timing for the Jubilee period. Instead of Palm Sunday to Low Sunday, it will now extend for six months to allow travellers, etc. to avail themselves of the Jubilee.
Bishop's OfficeAnnouncement of elevation of Pope Pius VIII.
Signed Thomas, Bishop of Cambysopolis, and Vicar Apostolic in the Midland District