"...Rome suggests that, as a general rule, girls should not be admitted to serving, and, until a significant change takes place, I am unwilling to make an official directive."
Thank you for the History of Southwold Church - set aside for reading.

Correspondence between Bishop Murphy-O'Connor and Rome (Doctrine of Faith) regarding Eucharistic celebration at Walsingham. Suggests they might discuss when at the Bishop's meeting.

Part 1: suspends the need for fasting and abstinence during the "dreadful scourge of Cholera".
Asks [Dr Husenbeth] to communicate this to the priests of Norwich and Mgr Taylor of Thetford. Writing so because of a delay in documents returning from Rome.
Has appealed to the Pope to allow fewer [no?] meetings as most priest live more than 100 miles away and it is not practicable to call meetings in the current circumstances. Despite Monsignor Bernabo refusing to present it to the pope, Bishop Wareing will proceed anyway. Perplexed and distressed by the state of Lord Shrewbury's affairs. Cannot keep borrowing £217 per year to keep missions afloat. "Our poor diocese was never in a more embarrassing and trying position"

1949: Proposal plus drawing of new church from CW Glover & Partners; surprise that Evening Standard is carrying news of the project (leak?); initial cost £10,000; Bishop warns to proceed carefully and consider room for expansion of flock; initial comparison with church at Sopsley, Luton.
1950: Construction method novel & causing concern; Ministry of Works limit on churches is £5,000; Architects to review costs & extendability; Bishop says no decision made yet; Fr Gaffney unhappy with evasion & delays; Canon Hunting suggests budget up to £7,500, and other limits on the project.
1951: Fr Gaffney suggests leaving out tower, sanctuary & sacristy to come within budget; approval to proceed (but watch the architects ("the very devil")); notice given to tenant to vacate the plot; various exchanges about detail of the design; MoW refuse licence to build; Bishop nervous about cost and asking if a contract has been signed and by whom - need for permission from Rome before agreeing to proceed; Fr Gaffney responds that the amount is right for the work and he is monitoring closely; CW Glover advise using architects has a cost and better £400 is advanced to avoid "Carey Street".
1952: Bishop embarrassed and provides a history as he sees it - Fr Gaffney to stay within budget and not pay for schemes (whether realised or not ) costing 10 to 15 thousand pounds; Fr Gaffney lets off steam to Canon Hunting - "..if you can get another sucker to come here.."; MoW approve licence for £7,500 project to build the church; Timber & steel licences in place; Building cost estimates range from £10,000 to £11,560, but architect may be able to prune £1,000; Bishop sticking to original budget, problems getting a loan - other churches being built for similar amount e.g. Wymondham at £6,000; design modifications to meet budget e.g. to height, type of facing bricks; foundation stone wording agreed, Bishop to bless it on 15 August 1952; Vapoulles Ltd and Alberti designs for font - Alberti get the contract; internal layout (seating, lighting, flooring) and fitting out discussed.
1953: windows, lighting, flooring, organ (secondhand?); Consulting Engineer enjoyed the weekend in March and the Passion Play; 9 May, Bishop of Menerva sends congratulations on the opening of the new church and recalls local preacher being impressed by the distance he walked to get to church in Thorney; final account for £8,200 dated 25 June 1953.

Dates for Ad Limina will mean going without Bishop Clark. Hopes that he is recovering as he is stalked by ill health for too long. St Alban's was a great day. Everyone friendly and happy to see they opened their doors to so many local Catholics.

Pg 2-4: letter addressed to Canon J McShee VG, Costessey, Norwich; Addressed from English College, Rome - ordinary letter instead of a Pastoral Letter; description of the Council in St Peter's Basilica; much done in the Poor and New Parishes; Catholic population increased by over 100,000
Pg 5-8: Church Collections 1962 (Table listed by Parish, headings: Peter Pence / Diocesan Schools / Holy Land / Diocesan Poor Missions (1961)); Named Donations

Glad to hear of Fr Yates' improvement. The stipend derives from an obligation for serving Ramsey - can keep 5 shillings for self. Bishop is considering applying to Rome to reduce the number of such Masses.