PARISHIONERS' SUIT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 126, 30 May 1944, Page 4

PARISHIONERS' SUIT

ANGLICANS AT VARIANCE MOVE TO RESTRAIN BISHOP (0.C.) SYDNEY, May 23. A number of members of the Church of England in the Diocese of Bathurst are the informants in proceedings which have begun in the Equity Jurisdiction against the Anglican bishop of Bathurst, Bishop Wylde. The Court will be asked to restrain the Bishop from departing from the order of administration of Holy Communion in Bathurst Cathedral set out in the Book of Common Prayer authorised in the reign of Charles 11.

It is contended by the informants that, although the Book of Common Prayer contains the only legal order of giving the sacrament of communion in Anglican churches, Bishop Wylde has for some time habitually adopted the order prescribed in a book entitled "The Holy Eucharist," commonly known as "The Red Book." They say, further, that he has encouraged his clergy to use "The Red Book" at communion services in other churches throughout the diocese.

Complaint is also made that "The Red Book" prescribes the practice of communicants making the sign of the Cross. This is stated by the informants to be unlawful according to the law of the Church. The practice of ringing a Sanctus bell at Communion is also objected to as being illegal.

The Court will also be asked to restrain the Church Property Trust from permitting the use of "The Red Book" in Bathurst Cathedral or any church in the diocese.

The suit will probably come up for hearing early in' August.

The Solicitor-General is acting as nominal plaintiff, and the informing members of the Church of England have given security of £500 to pay any costs that may be awarded against him.