VICAR DEFIES BISHOP.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 87, 6 January 1908, Page 9

VICAR DEFIES BISHOP.

A difficulty has arisen between Dr.' Knox, the Bishop of Manchester, and tho Vicar: or Christ Church, Blackburn, tho Rev. George Denyer.-In-an article in the "Christ Church Parish' Magazine" tho vicar complains that the bishop lias insisted on tho uso of fermented wine 'at tho Lord's Table, despite his protest that inany of,his parishioners Were formerly addicted to over-indulgence in strong drink and might'bp tempted to lapse into--intemperance'" if - thoy■ tasted : alcpliolic wino. Tho vicar contends that ho has been' comriianded to conform to a law-not yet established, and to givo up a practice adopted by many clergymen throughout tho country qnd by some m the Manchester diooese, notably Bishop Thornton; who, -as .chaplain at : the Lancashire Inebriates' Reformatory, near Blackburn,-. always uses urifcrmented 'windwhen 'celebrating Holy. Communion. '' ••' "• ■ Bishop Knox, thp vicar says, has declined to permit any dcacon'to assist him-if ho'declincs to give ivay'in tho mattor, and this practically pieaiis that, the with- . out clerical assistance of any^kiitd'in ,a pa- . risli'where!he has ministered for'nlanV.'yflaisr Prior to..onp mission churoh dis'trict-bcing.'rc-i' cently -created into.'.a separate -parish, 'Mr. Denyor's' parish'.i.w*as" l i:theflaißcst"'t'in ' I.Blft'cliburn. : ~ Mr. Denyer also states that tho'attitude Bf; stlio,:bishop'can' only, mean-that he -is' to! ( b'o ' iforc'sd i into -resigning' his boneficd; but this lie docs not propose to do unlqss'it'!is the wish ' .;of- his . Ono of tho cluirch officers said 'that, ho' was. prepared''to' find CO reformed" drunkards among "' tlio 700 communicants of tho' parish: He'added that thero is a possibility of Mr. -Dcriyer's ' action strengthening" the backs ofother'vicars'who are at ono with him," b"iit , have not-'liked to defy tho .bishop. "If the bishop takes the vicar before the Ecclesiastical this gentleman said, "I imd-' . gino Mr. Denver will rcceivo the aid of temperance societies throughout the country." Mrs. Lewis, a well-known Blackburn temperance advocate, strongly denounces the. uso of intoxicating wino at Holy Communion, and has. publicly referred to cases whero reformed drunkards have given way,to; drink', again as the result of attending sacramental celebration. . . .. , V!."" ,' ,