ANGLICAN CHURCH HIERARCHY

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26745, 31 May 1952, Page 2

ANGLICAN CHURCH HIERARCHY

Criticism In Clerical Directory (Special Correspondent N Z P A > ißpr 7 „ > - ‘'■r.a.j

P ,' m ' ) • LONDON, May 30 Outspoken criticism of holders of high office in the Church of England is made in the preface to the latest edition of Crockford’s Clerical Direc tory, just published. eC The author of the preface is as usual anonymous, but it has always been achighl gregations apparently needing more sml r ii lght ’ ° n < the queer Principle that smaller armies need more generals) ceaseless tinkering with eccles asticai and stren uous and prolonged archiepiscopal triumphal progresses in the Antipodes (two in little more than a year) contribute precisely nothing to a remedy." precisely •> The author also voices what he calls ing’Viso P f ro A est ” a Bainst "the increaser® .°i. the most sacred symbol of the Christian faith as a decorative preface to Anglican episcopal signalrnn S ' , Y hen ,, ad^ ed b y ha nd it generally takes the form of a plus sign t„r« L y SUC . h recognisable signasuffieed 8 > ? antuar o nd G. F. Bristol k’i 11 ls n P w more common to hear bishops referred to in the style of plus Aubrey,’ or ’plus Brian,’ which invites the comment that in many priate <> m nus ’ be more appro-

“Some Learned Bishops” Discussing the character of Church of England bishops, the author goes on: Some of the bishops are still, happily, learned men; though their learning is seldom very relevant to the present pressing need. But at the risk of giving offence, and with no desire to do so, it must be written that far too many of them bring no intellectual gitts or accomplishments to adorn their episcopal office but derive their only personal authority from it. Their influence is confined to the faithful The truth is that there are few indeed. whether bishops, deans, or residentiary canons, who either do or could make anv effective defence of the faith with the weapons of reason against the insidious undermining and powerful enemies of religious faith in our time."

The preface also says about bishops’ d ress: “Parading in a scarlet robe which belongs to the Universty degree of doctor, or in (hat garment shorn of f’e coloured facings appropriated to doctors’ deg -ees by bishops and others not thus distinguished is ridiculous if not worse.”