HIGH CHURCH.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 304, 24 December 1929, Page 7

HIGH CHURCH.

BIRMINGHAM CLIMAX.

Bishop Barnes Refuses To

Institute Vicar.

HIGH COURT TEST CASE.

(United P.A.-Elccfric Telegraph-Copyright)

(Received 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, December 23. The controversy regarding high church practices in some of the churches in the diocese of Birmingham has reached a climax. The trustees of the parish of St. Aidan's, including the Bishop of Truro, the Rt. Rev.. Walter Howard Frere, threaten Bishop Barnes with a High Court action to test his right to refuse to institute an appointed vicar, who refused to accept Bishop Barnes conditions.

Bishop Barnes has issued correspondence to the Press. He says: "The issue is a moral and spiritual one and not a legal issue. If the trustees succeed in their action any bishop henceforth will have to institute any clergyman though the latter may intend to introduce the whole Roman sacramental system. It would end all hope of restoring o: der in the Church of England! I will not turn the instituted service of prayer into a mockery. No Court in the realm will make me do it."

Bishop Frerc, as a member of '.lie Community of the Resurrection, was the first monk to be elevated to the Episcopate m the Church of England since the Reformation. The chief point in the dispute centres round the reservation of the Consecrated Elements after the service of Holy Communion. Bishop Barnes will not allow reservation, and he has forbidden any extra-liturgical services in connection therewith. Prior to the appointment of Bishop Barnes to the See of Birmingham some of the Anglo-Catholic church in the diocese had reservation, and an evening service, which approximated to the Roman Catholic devotion of Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The Bishop of London, Dr. Winnington-Ingram, who visited New Zealand about three years ago, has also forbidden services in connection with the Reserved Elements, although he allows reservation, and has not quarrelled with the vicars of Anglo-Catholic parishes.