CHURCH RITUAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 141, 16 June 1928, Page 11

CHURCH RITUAL.

CATHEDRAL SERVICE. "A MATTER FOR THE CLERGY." DEAN'S REPLY TO CHAPTER. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, this day. Since the annual meeting of parishioners of St. Peter's Cathedral, several long meetings of the Chapter have been held at which the question of ritual has been discussed. It may be remembered that at the annual meeting a new Chapter was elected, the majority of whose members declared themselves definitely opposed to extreme ritualistic practices. The question has Deen thoroughly discussed by the Chapter. At one meeting a deadlock occurred but later it was decided by a resolution, which was carried unanimously, to submit the following proposal to the dean on Thursday, June 7. It was resolved that the Chapter respectfully suggest to the dean the following scheme for the morning services: That on one Sunday in each month and the fifth Sunday, and on any special feast days, the 11 a.m. Holy Communion service be choral; on other Sundays morning prayer, and, if desirable, Holy Communication; Purificators to be used at all Communion services; and that Eucharistic vestments be not used at any service. The Chapter would add that it is firmly of opinion that if this scheme is carried out the difficulty of collecting the necessary funds for parochial purposes will be largely removed. The Chapter then adjourned for one week, in order to get an answer from the dean. On Thursday, June 14, at an adjourned meeting, a written reply was read by the dean to the Chapter, in which he said that the Chapter had no power to deal with the matters carried by resolution, and, further, that even if an overwhelming majority of parishioners held the same view as the Chapter on these matters, he would still maintain his attitude, on the ground that the form of service was a matter for the clergy alone to decide.