THE ANGLICAN CHURCH.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14583, 6 February 1913, Page 4

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH.

IMPORTANT NEW LEGISLATION,

(SPECIAT, TO 'THR r-RESB.")

AUCKLAND. February 5. Highly important legislation was introduced at tho Anglican General Synod in Nelson at tho instance of tho Bishop of Christchurch, revolutionising the method of appointment to parishes and parochial districts. Tho present system of election of parishes involves the uso of Boards of diocesan and parochial nominators, the Bishop having no voice in the proceedings. On the other hand, the B r shops havo held the patronage cf parochial districts. Much fault has been found with tho systems, and the Bh»'.iop of Christchurch put before the Synod a measure of many clauses, which simplified the procedure, including the Bishop of the diocese, ex officio, in a Board of Nominators for the whole diocese, tihe other members being a fully ordained clergyman and a layman, elected annually by their respective orders at Synod time, or, in default, by the Standing Committee. On a vacancy occurring in a parish, the Bishop, having satisfied himself that bVere is maintenanco enough for the clergyman, is to present not more than three names to the vestry for choice, and if for any reason none of tho three names is accepted w;it»hin three months of the last nomination, the right to selection lapse.-' to tho Board. Though this excludes the right to nominate any of the rejected clergy, if tho Bishop be then satisfied as to the fitness of the accepted priests, ho is to institute the latter, tint, if the B'shop bo not satisfied, he is to advise the Board and give his reasons to iihe rejected man. The retiring members of the Board or the clergyman may appeal to the Provincial Bench of Bishops within one month, and a two-thirds majority of the Bench is necessary to secure tho institution aga"nst the will of tho diocesan Bishop, but the candidate for position is forbidden by the sentiment of tho Anglican Church, and it is possible that after all tihis procedure the clergyman elected may refuse tho position, and then tho negotiations beein de novo. The vestry and the Board hare authority to delegate their power of selection.

A significant clause provides .that tho Synod may vest tihe" right of first presentation in a private benefactor. The Bishops, for the sake of -uniformity, have given up their right of patronage in tho parochial districts, and vested it in the Board, -which, however, may delegate selection -to tho Bishop. It is anticipated that these radical alterations will simplify procedure very materially, tho democrat spirit of tho constitution in giving a due right to the authority of the three orders being at tho same time fully conserved.