Page 1 covering letter
Pages 2&3: Summarising notes [received in response to Ad Clerum 6/77] of unauthorised Mass centre in which the Tridentine Rite mass is being said: Norwich; Swaffham; Ipswich; Cambridge

The Bishops of England and Wales used their Christmas messages this year to contrast the darkness of political turmoil with the light of the Incarnation, calling for Christians to show unity and solidarity with the poor. Bishop Hopes quoted.

News item from The Tablet

Mgr David Norris: The Conference last week endorsed the British Council of Churches' Affirmation on Racism in Britain and recommended Catholics to sign on Sunday 23 April. Copies of affirmation and signature sheets attached.

Round robin to Bishops of England and Wales: grateful for another special collection for "Crisis in Africa". Explains what he saw when visiting Zimbabwe, Mozambique. Dire but not quite at the same level as Eritrea and Ethiopia in 1990 - but 11th hour. CAFOD's work across Southern and Eastern Africa supported by the money raised following the [Bishops'] Conference decision.

Latin document [not translated]

".. two magazines and I consider them fanatical. No doubt those who write the articles are honest and sincerer men but I think they do great harm. They obviously create and foster differences among clergy and people." ".. episcopal colleagues are quite unmoved by the accusations made against you and Bishop Butler."

The Conference of Bishops meet in November and the question will be put on the agenda. Copied to Bishop Clark and Bishop Butler who are members of ARCIC.

Anglican / Roman Catholic Relations
pg 0: Contents
pg 1-2: General Situation; Five Problems; Suggested action
pg 3: Appendix A - Anglican Orders
Pg 4-5: Appendix B - Women Priests
Pg 6: Appendix C - Nature of the Church

Cardinal Hume & Cardinal Gray (St Andrews and Edinburgh) issued a joint statement.
Sad that resolutions to support 1967 Abortion Act reform were accepted by the TUC and Labour Party Conference. This law runs contrary to the Preamble of the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child which was adopted on 20 November 1959. Members of the TUC and the Labour party "... experience, however, a tension between that loyalty and what they recognise to be the law of God on the sanctity of life ... moral issues should be left to the individual conscience."

A brief report on the visit to the Holy Father on 5th May 1979. Memorandum for the visit complied and copy provided to Archbishop Coggan. Lists documents which express the RC church;'s stance on the ordination of women. Hume did put four question to the Pope about ordination of women and requested the Pope's answers as being helpful to both Hume and Coggan. Discussed at length the attitude towards Anglican Orders, Hume said "... the resolution of the problem of Orders should proceed with our attempts to reach agreement on the nature of the Church and the content of the Faith."

Covering letter for the final (embargoed) copy of the address to be given to the General Synod on 1 February 1978.
Copies gone to all Bishops. The help provided by Bishop Clark and Dick [Stewart] has been the making of it.
Sorry about Bishop Clark's anxieties for his father.

Final text - as it emerged. Did not put it in the Times but used instead for a sermon in St Paul's.

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.

Covering letter for two items: Aide mémoire for the Holy Father's meeting on 5 May; letter to Archbishop Coggan.
Whole dossier sent to Bishop Toriella.

Dick Stewart has suggested a text [not present] for talk in Newcastle to the Free Church Federal Council. Asks if Bishop Clark can comment and make suggestions about the text. What he says in Newcastle could have considerable repercussions "ratione officcii tantum" [~ the nature of office].
The Cardinal must not stay anything that will mislead or cause complications to our Conference. Please help.

Following the death of the previous incumbent, Canon Arthur Rivers, Cardinal Hume has been contacted about Bishop Clark appointing someone as "Chaplain Delegate with powers of a Vicar General for the Military Vicariate".

The Westminster Cathedral appeal, after seven years, is to be re-launched as "Voice of the Cathedral" and Cardinal Hume asks if Bishop Clark will agree to be a patron. It is time the Great Organ was prioritised (it broke down minutes before the Papal Mass, fortunately two experts were on hand and it was repaired in time). Similarly there is a need to focus on the choir and invest in that.

Covering letter for fax sent to Cardinal Ratzinger. Cardinal Hume said he had to act quickly to give Ratzinger time to respond.

Anonymous donation ("intended for the maintenance of male clergy") Cardinal Hume is in the habit of sharing amongst Dioceses that might appreciate a little help.
Manuscript note: "£1,500"

Strictly Private and Confidential: Cardinal Neves is quoted listing the qualities and responsibilities required in "the new Official of this Dicastry". Cardinal Hume is asking Bishop Smith if he can put forward a name - very sad if we cannot find someone.