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
Evans, Michael Charles Rev MTh (1951-2011)Pg 3-7: Pastoral Letter - need for priests; 30 new churches; Vocation; 35 sturdents, 27 boys; Nuturing Catholic Families
Pg 7: Notices
Pg 8-34: Ecclesiastical Fund, 1961[sic] - table listing named donations within each parish
Pg 37: A Prayer for Priests; A Short Indulgenced Ejaculation
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
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
Pg 2-8: Pastoral Letter - apostles; priesthood; duty; sacraments; long and costly training of priests;
Pg 9-21: Ecclesiastical Fund, 1951 - table listing named donations within each parish
Pg 22: A Prayer for Priests; A Short Indulgenced Ejaculation
Pg 23: Notices
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.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)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)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.
CorrespondentWent 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
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
"..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)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."
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)