Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1910-2001 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
51 boxes
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Catholic Missionary Society was founded by Cardinal Vaughan as the Westminster Missionaries. The central focus of the organisation was the conversion of non-Catholics, rather than non-Christians. Although there is a secondary note of those who 'profess no religion', the Church of England and in particular the 'High Church' party were the main targets. The other element which increasingly came to the fore in the practice of Parish Missions and Retreats by the CMS was reaching the 'lapsed'. The mission was seen as a chance to visit those whose practice of the faith (most obviously their attendance at mass and confession) were less than they had been. Often these were called 'Missions to Catholics and non-Catholics' indicating that their purpose was to deepen and renew the faith of Catholics, to bring back those whose faith was becoming inactive and to reach out to those who were members, if not necessarily active members, of other Christian Churches.
The CMS ceased service in 2003, with its work being continued by the Catholic Agency to Support Evangelisation. Its assets were transferred to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.
Repository
Archival history
GB 0122 CMS 1910-2001 Collection (fonds) 51 boxes Catholic Missionary Society
The Catholic Missionary Society was founded by Cardinal Vaughan as the Westminster Missionaries. The central focus of the organisation was the conversion of non-Catholics, rather than non-Christians. Although there is a secondary note of those who 'profess no religion', the Church of England and in particular the 'High Church' party were the main targets. The other element which increasingly came to the fore in the practice of Parish Missions and Retreats by the CMS was reaching the 'lapsed'. The mission was seen as a chance to visit those whose practice of the faith (most obviously their attendance at mass and confession) were less than they had been. Often these were called 'Missions to Catholics and non-Catholics' indicating that their purpose was to deepen and renew the faith of Catholics, to bring back those whose faith was becoming inactive and to reach out to those who were members, if not necessarily active members, of other Christian Churches.
The CMS ceased service in 2003, with its work being continued by the Catholic Agency to Support Evangelisation. Its assets were transferred to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.
On permanent loan on behalf of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.
Papers of the Catholic Missionary Society (CMS), 1910-2001, including the journal of the CMS, Catholic Gazette, 1910-2001; financial accounts, 1995-1999; photographs; a history of the CMS; correspondence regarding the CMS to act as relaters for Christian Unity Dialogue; Catholic Enquiry Centre legacies, 1987-1995; Catholic Enquiry Centre correspondence; papers relating to Missionary Priests; minutes of the CMS, 1979-2001; papers relating to CMS Missions.
As outlined in the Scope and Content.
Open for consultation by appointment only between 12:00 - 5:00, Mondays and Wednesdays. Call: 0207 938 3580 or email: archivist@rcdow.org.uk for appointments. Some items may be closed under the Data Protection Act, for more details consult the Archivist.
Copies, subject to condition of the original, may be supplied for research use only on the undertaking of a copyright declaration. Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.
English
Box list available in the Archive's reading room.
Compiled by Sarah Drewery.
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names 1997.
Sep 2008 Ancient religions Catholic Enquiry Centre Catholicism Catholic Missionary Society x Westminster Missionaries Christianity England Europe London Mission administration Missionaries Missionary societies Missionary work Mission policy Missions Religions Religious activities Religious groups Religious organizations Roman Catholic Church UK Western Europe Religious institutions
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
On permanent loan on behalf of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Papers of the Catholic Missionary Society (CMS), 1910-2001, including the journal of the CMS, Catholic Gazette, 1910-2001; financial accounts, 1995-1999; photographs; a history of the CMS; correspondence regarding the CMS to act as relaters for Christian Unity Dialogue; Catholic Enquiry Centre legacies, 1987-1995; Catholic Enquiry Centre correspondence; papers relating to Missionary Priests; minutes of the CMS, 1979-2001; papers relating to CMS Missions.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
As outlined in the Scope and Content.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open for consultation by appointment only between 12:00 - 5:00, Mondays and Wednesdays. Call: 0207 938 3580 or email: archivist@rcdow.org.uk for appointments. Some items may be closed under the Data Protection Act, for more details consult the Archivist.
Conditions governing reproduction
Copies, subject to condition of the original, may be supplied for research use only on the undertaking of a copyright declaration. Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Box list available in the Archive's reading room.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names 1997.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English