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Headed "Private"; address given as Somerton Hall, near Gt Yarmouth, Norfolk. Discussing the requirements for a mixed marriage with the priests at "The Holy Angels, Norfolk Road, Bayswater" [probably St Mary of the Angels, Moorhouse Road, Bayswater, London]. As resident of the diocese he is asking the bishop to grant a dispensation to allow the marriage to take place at the church mentioned. Both parties are over 70 years old.
Manuscript annotation: "Sent a mixed marriage application form to be filled up [illegible] Fr Thompson July 6/26".

Advises Fr Courtney that he needs to contact the Bishop with full details of this mixed marriage and the agreement of the parties to his proposal for regularising it.

[undated, unsigned] [very shaky hand] "My Lord, I think you ought to know about Fr Flynn here. He is a very ill man and something ought to be done for him. He only has Mass on Sunday - and these looks as if he might die on the altar. Only last week he was over to take a wedding but went to bed in the hotel at once, too ill to do it. I am only a visitor here and therefore it is not my business but it is very serious I beg to remain one of your Lordships flock."

Petition for a dispensation for a marriage on 6 January. As time is short dispensation also from banns. They have signed the promises - was this wrong of me?
manuscript annotation: "dispensation sent Dec 2/24. You are quite right. No banns are allowed in Church for a mixed marriage."

Faculties requested for Fr Chadwick SJ who will act as extraordinary confessor for Christmas.
Expecting to hear about the matrimonial case. But I know Rome is slow.
Manuscript annotation: "Answered. Don't expect anything more from Rome. [?] they won't accept our research into Such's non-baptism, wh I expected. Dec 15/25"

Bishop's decision in the "Chapelow-Such" matrimonial case has been passed to the parties - they will continue to live as they have done for the last two years. The woman is anxious for the papers relating to the case. Enclosed [not present] a petition for a mixed marriage, no banns they wish a very quiet wedding. Fr Chadwich SJ coming for Christmas, can he have faculties for confession?

Urgent petition for a mixed marriage (non-Catholic is baptised Church of England). Special license due to family quarrel ("not on account of sin").
manuscript annotation: "Sent. June 10/27"

Saw Mrs Chaderton Johnson in church - she will be comfortable at Mrs Kearns till her new house is ready (same road as Bunbury's).
Thought letter was about matrimonial case. But I know Rome is slow.
Manuscript annotation: "Answered. Rome had sent back 2 questions: 1. Is Such still alive 2. Has he been baptised. Referred them to my papers. Sent info as to 2; 1 I said yes - must await further answer. Oct 28/25"

Good news regarding Cyril Banham's ordination. Have written to Fr Squirrell re number of priests required. Requests return of the papers associated with the "Chaplow & Such" case as the woman involved has asked for them. Statistics included [not present] do not include Confirmed - ten from Southwold and one from Lowestoft

Wedding on Easter Sunday in Bungay. Describes the situation. Asks for permission to perform the ceremony himself (an old friend of his) and for the witness to be a non-Catholic. Fr MacGray[?] agrees that he can do this.

Writing from Downside - retreat finished, returning to Beccles. Renewal of St Benet's fabric is finished; the Abbot is concerned about the money from the Banham Fund, told that the Bishop is onto it. Petition for the marriage between Dr Christopher Helsham and Mollie (no second name) Mickleborough (prepared by the nuns and himself) ; she will be received into the church at once and have her First Communion on Dec 8th.
manuscript annotation: "Ansrd sent faculty Nov 29/27."

Realised Sundays are out as Bishop Keating never came on one. Perhaps a Wednesday, half closing day here and more people are likely to attend than on a Sunday. Try for before July 22nd as school holiday starts on 29th.
Just kept Empire day - Mayor and Mayoress visited the school, sports in the afternoon.
No chance to see the parties wishing to get married. The mother you want me to see may be dead, but will make sure.
manuscript annotation: "Suggest Wed. July 15 for Confirmation, arriving Tuesday 14th."

There will be about 40 confirmation candidates for the visitation.
The Matrimonial case: both parents of the man, Such, are dead. Told them they cannot be married without proof of death of the divorced man, or that he'd never been baptised. They must wait until the former. They have been warned not to create a scandal by hasty action - continue to present themselves as brother and sister but to separate when the chance arrives e.g. through work elsewhere. They will not bother the Bishop by asking for an interview.
manuscript annotation: "Answered. May 28/25. Writing to Rome to ascertain if these is the slightest chance of things even considering the Such case in the absence of positive proof of non-Baptism, & assertion of Uncle that he was baptized but does not know where. May 28/25."

Fr Courtney enclosing Fr Freeland's letter to him, writes to the Bishop about why he did not ask for written evidence of their intent. He judges them to be sincere but the man is an impulsive and defiant character who may not take kindly to being reminded of his marriage's sterility or of his own possible impotence.

Note providing background the two enclosures: I. Petitinem ad acathol. Reconciliationem, II. Letter (Confidential) re Syrian, Boulos.
Fr Courtney makes it clear that since the Bishop did not specifically request it, the answers provided by Boulos were not on Oath. Just as well "... seeing that the truth was not well served." He quotes Can 1744

Letter to Bishop about needing a dispensation form to "regularise" a mixed marriage undertaken in a Registry Office on 15 February 1916 between a Salvationist (husband) and Catholic (wife). Letter contains many details about the circumstances which may lead the couple to agree to this, but unfortunately Fr Thompson has not left any Dispensation forms.
Manuscript annotation: "Cannot do it! Sent dispensation forms"

Returns the Patriarch's document with answers. No parochial seal, else he would have attached it. Note that the man's address is 26a, Regent Road and not 13 Marine Arcade (a shop/stall in the arcade).

Fr Edward Rockliff has gone North to give a retreat and some Lenten missions and has left Fr Courtney to look after two Ne Temere cases. He wants to get them to the bishop soon. He then provides some background details of each case and states that Fr Rockliff is satisfied there are no impediments to progressing. Fr Rockliff having been an Army chaplain and served at the front gave one of the parties a good talking to, it is expected that this man will now behave himself.
Manuscript annotation: "Sent both Dispensations. No 2 being conditional on freedom and baptism. Mar 3/25"

Asks for countersignature to register Leiston Church for the solemnisation of marriages.

Miss Mannucchi letter [not present] may be moving permanently to St Neots and will acquire a domestic immediately. Uneasy about a dispensation from Nottingham being valid in Northampton diocese.
manuscript annotation: "Get Fr Gatti to depute you as his delegate to perform the marriage. Bp. Dunn's dispensation holds good. Dec 8/28 Returned the lady's letter"