ANGLICAN DOCTRINE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 210, 5 September 1928, Page 9

ANGLICAN DOCTRINE.

EMPOWERING BILL DISCUSSED. FEAR OF SCHISM EXPRESSED. SOME APPREHENSIVE MEMBERS. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Some apprehension—apparently not well founded —was expressed in the House of Representatives to-day, when Mr. W. J. Girling (Wairau), a lay member of the Anglican General Synod, moved the second reading of the Church of England Empowering Bill, which has been passed by the Legislative Council. It was fairly obvious from the debate that some members failed to appreciate the fact that the English Church in New Zealand is not a State institution, as in England, and is therefore not subject to the dictatorship of Parliament in matters spiritual. This bill was necessary, said Mr. Girling, to ensure that the identity of the Church should be maintained, and that nothing should jeopardise the property of the Church. As the bill would be referred to a select committee, he would content himself with moving the second reading at this stage, and would reserve his remarks till the bill came back from the committee. "I would like an assurance that the measure does not allow the Church to adopt a revised Prayer Book similar to the one rejected in England, which aimed a blow at the very foundation of the reformed Church," said Mr. A. Harris (Waiteinata). "This bill should be most closely scrutinised before the House agrees to a measure that might create a considerable amount of dissension. Wo have as adherents of the Church high and low churchmen. Some fear we have some adherents who are not perfectly loyal. A feeling is abroad that a section of the clergy are more nearly adherents of the Church of Rome than of the Protestant Faith." Mr. Harris believed he

expressed the opinion of the majority When he said that no bill should be passed which would create schism and dissension in a Church to which so many New Zealand people claimed adherence. If it would be possible for the Church (by reason of this bill) to adopt a Prayer Book on the lines of the rejected English Book, then the closest investigation should be made. Mr. Harris said he was making these remarks to give the member who introduced the bill a warning many were alive to what was taking place. The bill should be so altered that the Church could not interfere with the recognised forms of Common Prayer. Although he had no personal interest in the bill, not being a member of the Church of England, the Minister of Health (Hon. J. A. Young), said he wanted to make clear the view held by members of a deputation which waited on him recently in Hamilton. The deputation had explained to him that this bill would give power to alter in every way the formularies and ritual of the Church, and also the Revised Version of the Bible. The Minister was not concerned with that. However, what had been brought under his notice was the fact that certain people had made bequests to the Church of England on the basis of certain doctrines, and in the belief that those doctrines would continue to be held unaltered. Under this bill there might be a violation of that understanding, in that power would b>. given to alter the doctrines and teachings.

Who is to Censor the Bible? The points raised were very important, said Mr. H. Atmore (Nelson). He had been approached and asked to state the position. If bequests had been made on the basis of doctrine, then the House should not enable the Church to alter her formularies without due inquiry and without seeing that it was absolutely necessary. He had been asked to see that the House was informed on the following questions, before the bill passed: Why should the Book of Common Prayer be altered? Is the present form of making bishops, priests and others invalid? If so, why? If not, why are the alterations necessary? What Articles of Religion arc to be substituted tor the 39 Articles, which clearly define the doctrine of the Reformed Chniih of England? What are the new '•formularies" to be adopted? What is wrong with the Authorised Version of the Bible? What version is to be used instead? What parts of the Holy Scripture are to be altered, or deleted? Who is to be authorised to censor the Mil.ie V

Mr. W. Girling (Wairau) replied that there was nothing new in the proposals. So far back as 1874 Archdeacon Harper brought before the General Synod a proposal and then explained that there was grave doubt whether any of the formularies could be altered without jeopardising the trust. He endeavoured to make alterations, but there were objections to the bill and it. was dropped. In 1895 the matter again came before General Synod, and the late Archbishop Julius was one of those foremost in securing tlie rejection of the bill, hits reasons being that he could see that there was a probability tliat the titles of church property would be jeopardised. The celebrated case of the Church of Scotland in 1894 showed that his fears were correct. The present bill was intended to make sure of the position and safeguard the property of the church. It had been approved by diocesan synods, and the General Synod, no objections being raised from the dioceses.

Communicants May Appeal. Any objections to change would go to the diocesan synod and thence to the General Synod. Before any alteration could be confirmed, the bill required that there should be a two-thirds majority of General Synod on each section, and, as there would be a fresh election before confirmation, it was possible for the dioeeses to elect members in support of their views should they not desire to see an alteration carried. Even if an alteration were confirmed by the General Synod there was provision for an appeal to £ tribunal set out in the bill. This appeal could be made by any five communicants of the church. It was necessary to have a two-thirds majority of the tribunal to dismiss the objection. With this ap|>eal court, two meetings of the General Synod, and the diocesan synods having the right to consider any matter, the church was well safeguarded in regard to any alteration in the iormulariee.