Asks Fr Allen to investigate the complaint letter attached.
Fr Tony [Rogers] and Gary [Dowsey] were enthusiastic about their meeting with you. Bishop finds this encouraging.

Bishop congratulating Fr Allen on the event yesterday [National Pilgrimage]. Well planned and executed; requires a lot of backroom work. He was happy to accompany the Cardinal on the walk.
Worried about the phrase "The Shrine Management" - watch it - this is the Shrine Council and Executive, not Bernard and John. Bishop abhors "creeping power as much as creeping infallibility!".

Received a cheque for $50 from Poor Cares in Los Altos for Walsingham. Bernard [Warwick] can work on getting the funds with the American authorities.

Fr Allen's idea/query about a "Marian Moment" - the Bishop warms to the idea but would like to know how the Penitential Element is to be woven in. Off to Heathrow on Wednesday; Gary available til 5 August; back on 21 August.

Cover letter for draft reply attached to the enclosed. How did Fr Allen handle it? Wiser for a simple refusal?

Recording his appreciation of the effort to make the Pro-Nuncio's visit a marvellous success. Likes the idea of him closing the Martian Year and blessing the amenity block. the three of us to meet a long but regular intervals [to discuss religious support]

Knew Claude Fisher for many years and is grieved not to be able to attend his Requiem Mass. Mgr McBride will attend and would like to officiate. Please let it be known that the Bishop could not attend due to important diocesan business previously arranged.

National Pilgrimage: will seek to engage the minds of sympathetic eminential and episcopal hierarchs!
Financial Management of Walsingham: he considers that things are working pretty well at the moment - should there be a need for significant change then thought and discussion will ensue. The Trust acts well for Walsingham and that is how it should stay.

Surprised that the Timothy Matthews project had no contact with anyone. Finally forwarding cheque from Poor Clare community in USA. David Jennings accepted for September training. Looking forward to ordaining Peter Rollings in July in Middlesborough

Hopes drafts will be adequate for the final contracts. Diocese salary payments should cover all expenses. £5,000 for Director; £3,000 for others. Parish expenses remain a charge on the parish.
Will be writing shortly to discuss whether the society might take over Fakenham parish when it falls vacant, perhaps as a chapel of ease.

Welcomes the opportunity to meet in Walsingham. Expresses appreciation for the extensive work of the Marist Congregation at Walsingham, in particular the contribution of Fr Clive to a "massive" development of the Shrine. Grateful to Fr Philip for his pastoral care of the surrounding area.

Rita Pfeffer - a Bene Merenti: Would need a CV illustrating her work for the Church and Walsingham. Helpful to obtain her parish priest's recommendation too.

No difficult in inviting any Bishop to carry his crozier at Walsingham - delighted at the prospect if they so wish

Copy of contract enclosed [not present]. Monies come from Shrine income. Questions to be passed to Fr Wilson.

Following their conversation today, Mgr McBride will be getting in touch. Three points:

1. The Executive's decision regarding the Blessed Sacrament is "ad experimentum" for this season. They will re-think if needed.
2. Walsingham Statue Honour Guard - see Mgr Stark's letter - decision remains with the Executive.
3. Will discuss audit with Fr Wilson

At the moment there is no Youth Officer for the Diocese. Fr Philip Shryane is purely "ad hoc" for the Papal visit. I suggest postponement in planning a (national?) Youth Pilgrimage before more thorough consultation has taken place. It is unwise to institutionalise a pilgrimage before some experience is behind us.

For clarity: the Bishop is not a member of the Executive; he thought he'd made that clear from the beginning. Mgr McBride as Vicar General acts in the Bishop's name and that of Fr Peter Wilson. All efforts are to raise funds and channel them into the basic building and basic equipment for the Chapel of Reconciliation. There is no money to finance any other project e.g. the railway track and the organ - we are in a "poverty trap" to some extent.
This should not undermine morale - lesser items come later, if we can't pay for them and consequently lose them, so be it. It is not too late to send an appeal reminder to parish priests.

Directs Fr Birch to write to the Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to seek help in obtaining a message from the Holy Father to insert in the proposed booklet. Do not write to the Secretary of State (Mge Bryan Chestle) it will only be returned.

Mgr Tony Hulme approached the Bishop about being an honorary member of Shrine Council. Need to consult Fr Birch, the Council, the two other Bishops. Already spoken to Canon McBride. Feels there is an obligation to acceded to this.

Bishop has re-drafted the text provided by Fr Birch. The opening paragraph needed revision to clarify a few points but the remainder is good. Fr Birch must sign with the Bishop.