Church union apathy

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32736, 13 October 1971, Page 3

Church union apathy

(From Our Own Reporter) NELSON, October 12. Many rank-and-file members of the churches discussing church union were unenthusiastic and apathetic, several speakers told the Nelson Diocesan Synod in Nelson today. The Synod did not discuss in detail the “Plan for Union,” prepared and released recently by the Joint Commission on Church Union, because it had come to hand only within the last few days. Discussion was confined to the report of the diocesan church union committee, which recommended that all parishioners should study the new plan; that vicars and vestries should encourage study at parish level —if possible with congregations of negotiating churches —and that the work should be given priority in the planning of parish life early next year. The recommendation was approved, but only after the Synod had discussed the problems of creating interest among church members and of the machinery for the referendum next year. The Bishop of Nelson (the Rt Rev. P. E. Sutton) said that since the plan had be-

come available only recently and most had had no opportunity to make a thorough study of it, he felt that an early Synod should be called for, about June or July next year, to examine it closely. REFERENDUM Bishop Sutton said that every adult of 18 years and upwards on parish rolls would have the opportunity of voting on a referendum on the subject next year before final decisions were made. • "Many Anglicans are not very concerned about union. I have experienced great difficulty in getting them to discuss or be positive about it,” said the Rev. B. E. Loveridge. “I notice this recommendation says it has to be left.to parishes to secure parishioner interest I would say parishes will have a hard grind to get people interested and they will probably need a lot of help along the line,” Mr Loveridge said. “LITTLE ENTHUSIASM” The Chancellor of the Diocese (Mr I. E. Fitchett) said it was difficult to obtain enthusiasm when there was little enthusiasm there. “I do not think there is any great enthusiasm by the rank-and-file inembers of the churches concerned. The group is enthusiastic but I can find little enthusiasm

from members of our church or members of the other churches negotiating the union. “A final decision is to be made by General Synod, but even a General Synod could not compel me to join a United Church if I did not want to,” said Mr Fitchett. Even if union - were achieved it had been said that there would be cases of "continuing churches,” said Mr Fitchett. “PROPERTY DIVISION” “It is well known that there is one particular church discussing unity* which talks of a continuing church and already has worked out a division of property for the United Church and* the continuing church,” he said. Mr -Fitchett said he was concerned about the machinery for the referendum. At the 1970 General Synod, it was resolved that special rolls be drawn up* of all persons eligible to. vote and this roll should be open for enrolments for up to 12 months. “As far as I know, no steps have bdeaf taken to establish this roll. There also is supposed to be a separate roll for the clergy/ As far as I known, there isn’t One,” he said. Other speakers gave in-| stances of the apathetic attitude of laity. I