SACRAMENT REFUSED

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 238, 1 July 1908, Page 7

SACRAMENT REFUSED

AN APPEAL TO UW> DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER. CHURCH AND STATE LAW' CONFLICT. (BT TEI.EGRAril —PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.) London, Juno 29. Mr. Banister, manager of tho Norwich Electric Tram-ray, is proceeding against the Rev. Honiy. Thompson, honorary canon of Norwich Cathedral and vicar of Eaton; Norwioh, for refusing to admit himself and his wife to tho sacrament of communion, because tho.latter is his deceased wifo's sister. !

Sir Lewis''Dibdin, D.C.L., Dean of tho Arches and Judge under the Public Worship Regulation Act, has' reserved his judgment. THE SACRAMENT: MINISTER'S POWERS. Regulations exist in the Anglicaji Church for repelling lay persons from the Holy Communion, and also for depriving them of all privileges of Cliurch membership in case .of very heinous offences. When irepHled from Communion, they may appeal to the bishop, who will institute an -inquiry into tho case according to the canons in'force in tho .diocese. The chief difficulty in the case mentioned in tho above cablegram lies in the fact that since the passing of the. Deceased Wife's Sister Act the law of the-State differs from that of the Church, and in tho caso of the: Established Church of England peoplo. havo - certain If gal rights regarding Church privileges, which do not exist in New Zealand, for instance. The question also arises .Whether a person can ignore tho lriarriago laws of the Church and yet be entitled to all the privileges of Church membership. Bishop Barry, commenting on the rubrics regarding the Communion, states "Tlie rubrics ' preceding the service point out the only cases in which the parish priest has a right to repel from the Holy Communion, viz., the cases of nfitorious and scandalous sin, and of 'malice and hatred' against our : neighbours. Even in these cases notice is (it once, to be given to the ordinary, with a View to judicial investigation and action, 'according to the canon,' that is,- tlie ecclesiastical law., (The: 26th and 27th . Canons of 1603 direct that notorious 'defaraers of the Prayer Book, and. of tho '..'Royal- supremacy,- and churchwardens neglecting the duty of presentment of offenders,' should also bo repelled. It is, however, doubtful whether these can bar any, rights of tho laity.) Except 60 far as these rubrics; givo discretionary authority, the _ minister, as in . the case of absolution, is simply, a • minister, and cannot refuse .the Saoi'ament to-any who, presumably has the requisite.-qualification. ' Tho inner' spiritual fitness can be absolutely judged , of by God. alone. The, whole of these provisions for . discipline have now fallen .into, practical disuse." It.-' most, however, be borne in mind that the above.-' statement by Bishop Barry was written bofore the new position, caused by the passing of the Deceased Wife's Sister Act, arose. . .' • - ...