ANGLICANS VOTE IN FAVOUR OF UNION

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33033, 28 September 1972, Page 3

ANGLICANS VOTE IN FAVOUR OF UNION

(N.Z Press Association/

HAMILTON, Sept. 27. Fifty-eight per cent of Anglicans throughout New Zealand have voted in favour of the plan for Church union, according to the Primate of New Zealand (the Most Rev. A. H. Johnston). The figures were 58.06 per cent in favour and 41.94 per cent against; 61,438 parishioners voted.

Archbishop Johnston said he would like to point out the part the referendum had in the process by which the Anglican Church would make its decision about the plan to unite with the Presbyterian, Methodist, and Congregationalist churches and the Associated Church of Christ. “SYNOD DECISION” “The decision whether to proceed into union can only be made by the general synod in 1974, after the various diocesan synods make their decisions regarding the plan during 1972 and 1973. The results of the referendum are now being sent to the diocesan synods,” Archbishop Johnston said. The referendum was held between September 1 and 13. In 70.38 per cent of the parishes throughout the country, the majority of parishioners voted in favour of the plan. Archbishop Johnston said. In the Anglican Church,

the clergy voted separately and in two categories. Of those clergy in parish and chaplaincy and other active work, 53.98 per cent voted in favour and 47.52 against. Of other clergy, including retired clergymen, 47.52 per cent voted in favour. Seven Bishops voted in favour and three voted against the plan, and retired Bishops voted one in favour and one against. NELSON AGAINST In two dioceses, Nelson and Dunedin, the vote was against the plan. Methodists have voted 85.9 per cent in favour of union; Presbyterians almost 70 per cent in favour; Associated Church of Christ 55 per cent in favour; Congregational Church 54 per cent in favour. BISHOP’S VIEW The Bishop of Nelson (the Rt Rev. P. E. Sutton), who has been one of the strongest opponents of the plan,

said: “It is probably too early for any of us to make sudden comments on the results of the Anglican voting until we have had time to study them closely. Each diocese, as an essential unit of the Church, must now face its own position on the plan, before the general synod meets in 1974.

“I hope we can get on with the job of being Christians, showing the rest of society that we can care for one another, and have the friendliest of relations with neighbouring Churches, without having to debate structures every day. “Plural unity in a commonwealth of Churches might well be the goal of our relationship, not only with the negotiating Churches, but also with other great Churches in the ecumenical movement,” said Bishop Sutton.

A breakdown of voting in the Anglican dioceses is given in the table.

Auckland PARISHIONERS % In Favour . 58.36 Against 41.64 Christchurch . 62.67 37.33 Dunedin . 46.83 53.17 Nelson .. . 44.99 55.01 Waiapu .. . 61.71 38.29 aikato . 66.66 33.34 ellington . 51.91 48.09 CLERGY Clergy In Active Other Clergy Ministry Including Retired % % c 'c In Favour Against In Favour Against Auckland . . 55.19 44.81 50.00 50.00 Christchurch 63.11 36.89 52.17 47.83 Dunedin .. 35.71 64.29 50.00 50.00 Nelson . . 36.36 63.64 46.15 53.85 Waiapu .. 60.41 39.59 37.50 62.50 Waikato . . 65.52 34.48 50.00 50.00 Wellington .. 43.03 51.97 46.15 53.85