An ‘ad clerum’ ( Latin for ‘to the clergy’) is a letter or announcement primarily addressed to ordained ministers from their Bishop.
There are regular, formal notices that the Bishop uses to inform or instruct his clergy for their awareness or action. There are also other ad hoc letters and notes about specific topics.
Westminster Province
370 Archive Record results for Westminster Province
Ad Clerum; letters; notes
Parker, Thomas Leo Rev (1887-1975)Ad Clerums; letters; notes
Grant, Charles Alexander Rev LCL BA (1906-1989)High Altar in Northampton RC Cathedral; ceremony; blessing
Unknown14 clergy (inc 2 Bishops with crosiers) flanking steps into Northampton RC Cathedral
UnknownBishop Clark with crozier and two people - one man and one woman
(One of a series of photos taken outside Northampton RC Cathedral)
Bishop Clark with crozier - view from left
(One of a series of photos taken outside Northampton RC Cathedral)
Bishop Clark with crozier guiding a man with a white cane
UnknownFr D Morgan (Bishop's Secretary) provides a copy of the letter from Bishop Grant to Fr Baker, to be hand delivered by Fr Hammond. The Bishop had hoped that time would heal (the Code does not provide for a time limit to Fr Baker to reply). However, anxious by the activities of Fr Peter Morgan and the pastoral situation seemed to offer a way out without a rumpus.
Bishop's OfficeLaying out the issues which the Bishop had to consider along with the historic background and identifying the parts of relevant Canon Law, the Bishop invites Fr Baker to resign as Parish Priest in Downham Market
Grant, Charles Alexander Rev LCL BA (1906-1989)Covering letter for Decree; Fr Baker has the right to appeal to Rome.
Grant, Charles Alexander Rev LCL BA (1906-1989)Fr Baker's ministry is harmful being direct and open disobedience of the Holy See. A review of the documents sent by Fr Baker were considered by the Synodal Examiner and the Pro-Synodal Examiner as not a sufficient answer and his ministry was harmful. Fr Baker had refused to resign and hence the Bishop is removing him from his office as Parish Priest at Downham Market. He has to hand over to Father Sketch.
Grant, Charles Alexander Rev LCL BA (1906-1989)Detailing the immediate consequences of the Decree sent on 20 November:
- not entitled to live in the Parish house - must be vacated without delay - contact the Bishop for support arrangements
- not entitled to use the Church - will not evict Fr Baker but will not tolerate him remaining
- not entitled to administer parochial funds - make arrangements to settle up
- not entitled to officiate at marriages - any married by you will be in an invalid marriage
- if celebrating mass in disobedience must make this clear to those attending and handle monies appropriately
Quoting from an article in the Daily Telegraph which the Bishop indicates could mislead a reader with some untruths about Fr Sketch. Writing because "this and similar one-sided reports cause distress..." "... you will instruct your staff to present both sides of the picture, and not accept uncritically the propaganda of an interested party in the controversy."
Grant, Charles Alexander Rev LCL BA (1906-1989)Compliments slip: Bishop Secretary: "Tony Sketch will arrange to deliver the enclosed - less the carbon - to all Downham Market parishioners when he distributes his invitations to the real Mass."
Page 1: letter to the congregation at Downham Market - explaining, now that the legal procedure is over, the sorrow he feels in acting against Fr Baker. Obedience to the Holy Father means accepting the changes away from the Tridentine Mass. Expects support for Fr Sketch. Notes of explanation included.
Page 2-3: Notes headed: "1. Your present position"; "2. The Missal of Pope Paul VI"; "3. The Bishop's dealings with Fr Baker"
page1: Christmas, Nativity scene and text
page 2: Editorial
page 3: Image of Fr Oswald Baker ("DT Picture") - advertisement for recording of All saints Day Mass at Downham Market
page 4/5: "No 'Sack' for this 'Rebel priest'" - 3 images of a Catholic priest concelibrating mass with an Episcopal priest (Sister)
Page 6-8: "Reply to Bishop Grant" - " I have received a copy of your letters dated 26 November and 6 December, concerning Downham Market..." signed L Hurst
An article by Fr Bryan Houghton
"This article is not written to prolong the needless controversy but to bring out the real issue which lies behind the differences between Father Baker and his Bishop...."
"Bishops are using their Easter messages to underline the hope of Easter in 'our trials', in the midst of darkness by darkness in Ukraine and places where 'war, violence, and suffering' are present." Story continues
1 image: head shot of Cardinal Nichols
"As reported in the 30th October issue of The Catholic Universe, 29 Grade I and Grade II* listed churches and cathedrals in England are to receive £3m funding for repairs and restoration projects from the Government's Culture Recovery Fund. The grant programme is part of the Government's Heritage Stimulus Fund, administered by Historic England and is aimed at supporting major repair projects which either stalled earlier this year because of Covid-19, or where loss of income due to many months of closure put urgently needed projects on hold." Story continues.
Images: "St Peter's Gorleston", "St. Mary's Great Yarmouth. Below, the mural at St Mary's has been suffering water damage due to a failed valley gutter." , Preston's Cathedral of St Alphonsa - formerly the Jesuit church of St lgnatius where the priest and poet Gerard Manley Hopkins once served, and now the Cathedral of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy - is another to benefit from the grants."
Covering note for Pope Pius IX decree
The Decree [in Latin] dated 10 August 1849 - commanding a second Festival of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord (first Sunday of July)
consequent revised timetable for July & August 1850
addressed: "The Very Reverend / F C Husenbeth / Cossey / Norwich"