ANGLICAN SYNOD.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 104, 4 May 1922, Page 7

ANGLICAN SYNOD.

IN MEMORIAM. CHURCH'S VIEW OX DIVORCE. At the Anglican General Synod yesterday, on the motion of Mr. H. D. Andrews, seconded by Archdeacon F. X. Taylor, the Synod recorded its appreciation of the life, character, and work of the late Archdeacon H. VI". Harper. Chxiatchurcli. The Dean of Dunedin (the Very Rev. A- R- Fitehett) moved, and llr." S. T. Mirams seconded, a motion commemorii--1 ting with gratitude the life and work ot ' the late Bishop Xevill. Dunedin. ■ SACREDXESS OF MARRIAGE. Discussion was resumed on the resolution moved T>y the Bishop of Auckland concerning the Churches' attitude to divorce, and if, was resolved without dissent: "That this associates itself with Resolution 67. Lambeth Conference, 1920. on "Problems of Marriage and Sexual Morality.' viz.. "The Conference aflirnis as our Lord's principle anC standard of marriage a lifelong and indissoluble union, for better or worse, of one :/an with one woman, to the exclusion of all others on either side, and calls on all Christian people to maintain and bear witness to this standard.' The Conference, while fully recognising the extreme difficulty of Government* in framing marriage laws for citizens, many of whom ilo not accept the Christian standard, expresses rU firm belief that in every country the Church should be free to bear witness lo that standard through its powers of administration and discipline exercised in relation to its own member?. And that in view of the fact that the Conference admits the right of :i national or regional Church within our communion to deal with cases which fall within the exception mentioTird in the record of our Lord's words in St. Matthew's under provisions which such Church may lay down, the Most Rev. the Primate be respectfully requested to appoint a Recess Committee to consider the matter fully and report to the next session of Synod." CHURCH GOVERNMENT. Yen. Archdeacon Williams (Waiapu) moved the second reading of a bill dealing with the constitution of diocesan synods. " The Mil provided tha.t any clergyman who held permission to offi- ; eiato in the diocese should have a seat ' in the eynod wTth a right to speak, but without a right to vote. ' The bill was opposed by the Yen. Archdeacon Johnson (Wellingtonl. who believed it was against the democratic government of the Church. He contended that the bill would be a grave in- ' justice to deacon* before they were ordained to the priesthood, and ex- : pressed the hope that it would be rejected. "I have opposed similar bills in the past, and I will do so again," declared Archdeacon Mac-Murray (Auckland). : who t>fi]ievpd that the bill was unfair. ; and opposed to the interests of the third order of the Ministry. He strongly supported the * remarks of the previous : .speaker. The bill was defeated by 2!> votes to 20. Mr. A. B. Roberton moved the second ' reading; of his bill granting permission to diocesan trustee, with the consent of I the diocesan synod, to transfer any proI pert,v or funds for parochial purposes to i parochial trustees. j "Once the door is opened this way I the dincpsan trustees would not be {rone to. There is a danger of mismanagement, and Tier ha Ds extravagance." said

i iiii-ui. nun prwmjis cMravajrancT. said ' Mr. H. D. Andrews (Christchureh). i Archdeacon Mac Murray, spenkinp with a full knowledge of parochial trusts, eaid the bill was not in the interests of the C'hurcli. "The bill U a danfreroue one, and if it is passed i! will lead to distention and trouble.'" he concluded, i Mr. Robcrton contended that the diocesan synods would not permit any extravagance; there wore ample safeguard.?. The object of the bill, he said, j was to brinjr all Church property under! the jurisdiction of the diocesan synods. The bill would be of assistance to all the dioceses of the province. The second reading of the bill was carried on the voice*, and the Synod j then went into commit ten, where the ' first clause wa* defeated. j The amended second clause read as follower —"Xo trustee shall invest moneye upon leasehold security unless j at the time of makirsg the advance: at | least 40 years of the time shall have ■ expired, or unless the lease is re- j newabla in terms of the Public Bodies Leasing Act. 1905.' , • Mr. C. Hudson moved the second rend-' ing of a bill providing that a vicar should hare the key of the' parish hall, but in the event of any dispute an appea! might be made to the standing comniittee°of the dioceee. whose decision would be final. It wou'd determine the question,' f said, of whether the vicar or vestry controlled the hall After a lengthy discussion on the bill in committee the synod adjourned at ! 10 p.m.