UNITED CHURCH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 88, 24 January 1938, Page 5

UNITED CHURCH

THE MOVEMENT IN BRITAIN.

BISHOPS FROM ALL SECTIONS.

EARLY DECISION NOT LIKELY. (United Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, January 22. The .report on the proposal for the fusion of churches is commended to the attention of the clergy and laity of the churches by both the Convocation of Canterbury' and the Federal Council of the Evangelical Free Churches. The report looks to the reunion of the Church of England and the Free Churches in a great united English church, in which the various denominations might come together without the loss of what is specially valuable in their distinctive traditions. The plan provides for spiritual freedom with some form of 'State recognition.

It is emphasised on both the Anglican and the Free Church side ! that the proposals are of the most tentative character, and are published for the consideration of Anglicans and Nonconformists in the hope of furthering the cause of unity, but with a full recognition that the time for negotiations has not yet come.

Baptism and Holy Communion are accepted as an essential condition of church membership. The use of the Sign of the Cross in baptism, the wearing of a surplice, and kneeling to receive Communion are practices upon the universal adoption of which it is suggested that Anglicans might not insist.

Participation in church government would be confined to communicants over the age of 18. The united church accepts the Apostles’ and the Nicene creeds, but the acceptable creeds and scriptures do not exclude reasonable liberty of interpretation. The organs of government, in addition to a General Assembly, would be a Diocesan Synod and a Congregational Council. The sees of Canterbury and York would retain their status. Priests would assume the title of presbyters, and the congregation would have an effective voice in their selection. The present denominational forms of worship, apart from the agreed form of Holy Communion, would be acceptable. It is suggested that at first there might be more than one bishop in each diocese, each of the uniting churches being represented in the college of bishops. A common pledge states: “All members must be able to receive Communion equally in all churches. Complete spiritual unity is obtainable only on a basis of freedom of opinion on debatable matters, and respect for even a large difference of opinion or practice.” i . ■ v, ■ .

The new church pledges itself not knowingly to transgress upon the longestablished tradition of any of the churches from which it is formed. The acceptance of the scheme will heal a breach which has lasted 300 years 3 since the original schism led to the formation of the Nonconformist churches. The plan embodies all the agreements reached since the historic Lambeth reunion appeal 18 years ago. * The Archbishop of York was chairman of the joint conference, with Dr. A. E. Garvie as leader of the Free Church delegates.

In the preface to the announcement they state: “We invite wide consideration of the plan > because’ we believe it is calculated to dispel prejudices and point the way to fuller agreement, and so at last to the union for which we pray.” . Dr. Garvie, in commenting on tne joint church plan, said that the Free Church Council recommended that the plan should be considered, but the other churches would do nothing until the Anglican Church acted through the Lambeth Conference, which was due in 1940. The plan has been referred to the churches. No early decision is likely. —British Official Wireless.