Form completed by couple with ceremony date of 21 January 1978; signed by Fr Mossey

Form completed for couple; signed by Fr Mossey

"This year's diocese of East Anglia Marriage and Family Life Mass was back in-person at St John's Cathedral in Norwich on Saturday, 18th June." Story continues.
image caption: "Pictured below are all the couples marking significant anniversaries with Bishop Alan at the Marriage
Mass"

Bishop comments:
Case 1: your judgement; my support; need a trusted person; update the dispensation appropriately
Case 2: Not sure he understands this case - need to check on what dispensations were in effect (held in Northampton); what is the desire to bring up the children as Catholics?

It would not be possible to give a dispensation from the information provided. Unlikely that once married they'd be able to "sort things out" and whilst described by Fr Richmond as (very) good people they remain "confused".

Sketching out the agenda for the Hierarchy Meeting and for the debate of the Statutes. Perhaps Cormac, Pat Kelly, Vincent and self, etc. to meet. Points to make:

• dispensation from celibacy for married clergy judged suitable candidates for priesthood
• Holy Father and CDF said be "generous" and "flexible" - too hasty a response will send wrong signals
• several Bishops (Southwark, Arundel & Brighton, East Anglia) putting their men through a two year part time course at Wonersh - two years should be a minimum.
• time prior to preparation should include that already undertake
• ordination should not be presumed
• finance needs spelling out

Latin document mentioning: Jacob Shanahan, 45; Brigitta Shanahan, 35; Borris O'Leigh [sic] [Borrisoleigh] in county Tipperary, Ireland; now living in Great Yarmouth.

Papers signed, passed to "Mac" for forwarding to Fr Brown.

Repeats the content of the original letter from Rev Dr Franz Fellinger and encloses the interrogatory (not available) to be put to Mr B Boulos. The Bishop delegates Fr Courtney to do this in the presence of a responsible person to act as a notary.
Side 2, Notary's handwritten record of answers to the questions put:
"1. Yes I have been disarrayed.

2. The accusation is false.
3. Indignantly denies having been to house of prostitution
4. Denies walking out with a dancing woman or any woman.
5. It is not true denies both points of accusation
   [undecipherable 5 words] by me (signed) Bishara Boulos"

Witness to the signature of B Boulos J Courtney SJ [word?] Delegate of [Bishop of Northampton]
(signed) Edward Julius Cox Notary

Sends the countersigned application. "I hope I have done it proprely[sic]".

Bishop sets out his requirements pertaining to a couple. Need for marriage to be convalidated and man absolved from censure prior to receiving sacraments.
Manuscript note: Bernard Kelly / Louisa Pettit - 15/11/1900

Bishop does not think the time for an intervention is now. The invalid marriage in the Reform Church might have been allowed - the wife is the key to this. The Bishop will speak to Fr Thomson.

The Bishop wants to help reconciliation with the Church. Being near death and wishing this is not moral cowardice; this frame of mind is helpful even though there is grief and sadness. The Bishop summarises the situation, indicates that the way back can be made easier, and promises to contact the Parish Priest.

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.

Certifying that the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, at 107 High St., Sawston, Cambridgeshire was certified as a place of Meeting for Religiour Worship on 5 Feb 1959 is duly registered for solemizing Marriages therein dated 6 Feb 1959

Dispensation from disparity of worship has been granted and forwarded to Peterborough.
Comment on the memorandum - not a matter to cause too much unrest. Marriage forms based on other diocese versions - the omission of parental names will be corrected in the next reprint.

[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."

Marriage Dispensation naming "Jacobus Shanahan et Birgitta Shanahan" of Northampton Diocese. Dated 27 February 1924.
Manuscript note: "Executed March 4 / 24."