Memo with main headings: 1968 Bishop Grant's long-term plans; The situation today; A Forecast; Proposals for - Authority, Land, Buildings Maintenance, Inadequacies of Buildings, Development of Slipper Chapel Area (Parish Church, Confessions, Sacristy, Blessed Sacrament Chapel); Shelter; Development in the Village; Finance; Staffing (Lay, Priests, Volunteers).
Connelly, Roland William Rev SM MA (1921-2004)Latin document. [not translated] [topic is absolution]
Amherst, Francis Kerril Rev (1819-1883)Glad to hear Fr Heptonstall was not seriously injured in the accident. Sisters' Confessions are permitted provided a screen is rigged up between him and the penitent. Very few sea coast resort priests can get away during their season - so permission for a private retreat. Enclosed small cheque [for £5] for 10 masses for private intentions.
Cary-Elwes, Dudley Charles Rev (1868-1932)Has just received a reply from Cardinal Knox to his letter dated 9 October 1979.
Discouraging - appreciate the Cardinal Hume's counsel. The inability to give General Absolution at time of pilgrimage is not a disaster - but the letter shows an addiction to strict and literal interpretation of the norms.
He has instructed his clergy that in real necessity they are authorised to administer GA (the kind of necessity the Congregation does not admit!) and inform him after the fact. But this has been rarely used and with no criticisms
Bishop Clark thinks that something has "leaked".
Just back from Peru. This legislation will probably be more strongly urged in near future - that non-Catholics may not approach Catholic altars for Holy Communion. The Bishop explains this further. On Confession his advice is to leave as is for now, until there might be a reiteration of more restrictive legislation from Rome. At which point you will have to tell the lady the this permission no longer obtains. The bishop says he ought to let Fr Kerby know that John Drury is grateful to the people of St Ives.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Bishop agrees with Fr John Harvey, saying that after The National Pilgrimage when he gave a General Absolution he was "invited" to Rome. He fought his corner, giving a context similar to that which Fr Harvey had described, but Cardinal Knox, tho' gracious, stuck to the letter of the law. The only practical solution is to ask pilgrims to go to confession prior to going on a pilgrimage to Walsingham.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Includes [not present] documentation required for Fr Trafford - grateful if he will undertake to hear the Lowestoft nuns confessions.
The management of the Banham Trust is quite constrained and has worked until now - sets out major aspects of the trust. The Bishop recommends that it stays as it is. However he'd be interested to hear anything Mr Coney or the Abbot can come up with.
Wishes him well in his new activity in Liverpool.
Sacrament of Reconciliation advice - "it is the sin that needs (and can be) to be absolved rather than release from the penalty incurred. Make a prudent judgement and decide whether the penitent has really incurred the 'latae sententiae'".
The visitation is in danger of being overloaded - whilst the Bishop is not allergic to work the programme is not without confusion - can Fr Kerby puzzle out a less complicated agenda for his Bishop?!
Title: Powers granted to confessors of commuting the Opera Injuncta, of dispensing, Etc. during the present Jubilee.
Text: in Latin
signed manuscript: "+Gulielmus Epen. Northamptoniam"
[Letter found in the Encyclical]
"Dear Fr Peacock, The dog cart will do very well. I shall arrive on Saturday at 4.30. I am willing to dine on Sat. at Mrs Sander's [?] if the dinner do [sic] not interfere with confession work. I will hear confessions on Sat. 8 to 9. I will say the first Mass on Sunday at 8.30. You need not erect a throne. Yr in J.C. +Arthur B of Npton"
Letter about the problem of General Absolution - handled with great skill. In communications with Rome the Cardinal would like to be "in on whatever you submit". Has spoken to Eddie Matthews (teaches on the subject at the seminary) and shown your letter to Cardinal Knox.
Hume, George Basil Rev (1923-1999)Celebration of Faith at St John the Baptist involving leaders from Catholic, Anglican, United Reform Church, Salvation Army, Methodists. Bishop Clerk to preach.
Chapel, in the North Transept, to be dedicated as a place of prayer for Christian Unity.
Start of the Centenary Year of St John the Baptist Cathedral Church.
Sr Mary Josephine, Great Yarmouth Convent, writing to Bishop regarding the priests the sisters should see for confession at the church.
Manuscript annotation: "Canon Drake / Fr Cornell[?] / Fr G Scott - Norwich; Fr O'Gorman & Ken from [?] Bury St Edmunds."
Faculty for Fr Basil Petersen during the absence of Fr Kerby from 10 December to 14 December. Allows for Preaching and Hearing of confessions of the faithful of the Diocese. Coverage from 1 December to 31 December 1982 - subject to the priest being approved for confession elsewhere.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Roy Gathercole said the Bishop was prepared to preach at the Blessing of the new chapel. Reading from Ephesians (Chp II v13-22) but an alternative in Kings - let Fr Birch know which he wants so he can warn the reader.
Archbishop Worlock is attending - give an opportunity to speak? (manuscript note - "not attending")
Executive Council has suggested an illuminated scroll be present to the Anglicans on the occasion of their Golden Jubilee - Bishop prepared to sign, copy of text included [not present] (manuscript note - "suggest re-draft"
Notre Dame Convent's superior has arranged lodging. Will call on the Bishop midday on Friday. Expect to leave for Yarmouth via London by train early afternoon.
Manuscript annotation: "Ans: Say Mass at the Convent. Come to see me at 11 or 11.30. Stay for lunch, meeting Canon Tonks, and return by the 2.15 train Ap 20/27. Have given faculties in case Sisters want their Confessions!"
Faculties needed to cover the Convent and to allow him to hear confessions of sick nuns within the convent, if required.
Manuscript annotation: "Confirmed faculties ; & sent 1. Duplication faculties, 2. [?] Confessions for Nuns. July 25 / 28."
Meeting held with VG chairing it; points raised where:
- Change in mass timetable - for Hunstanton and Dersingham; £10 for each Sacramental visit, as no Collection is received by the parish from Dersingham
- Confessions timetable
- One newsletter - 4p per copy for those sent to Dersingham
- One pastoral council
- All notices to be given by PP
- Dersingham decisions discussed with PP
- PP to have a key to Dersingham church
- Diocesan Mailing lists to reflect one parish
Deacon Matthews asked for time to consider these.
PP now has a list of Dersingham parishioners.
PP reliant on Deacon and parishioners to develop the integration of Hunstanton and Dersingham.
Requests faculties for the Spalding priest who may be hearing confessions in Dutch for the pilgrimage. Friday 27 June Lynn School children and teachers are going to Wembley for a special Mass - requests a dispensation from abstinence for them.
Eeles, Charles Rev (1868-1926)Involved in a motor accident when a motorcyclist hit the vehicle Fr was in. Sisters have asked that confessions are heard after Saturday mass at the Convent - the poor weather makes journeys to church trying. Ask for Bishop's permission. Time are hard and he has received few Mass Intentions - could he have some more? Also asking for permission to have a private retreat when a CSSR priest gives a mission in Hunstanton in May.
Heptonstall, Donald V Rev (-1954)