MILITARY CHAPLAINS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2162, 30 May 1914, Page 6

MILITARY CHAPLAINS

STRANGE ANOMALY BISHOPS JUNIOR TO THEIR CLERGY . (By Telegraph—Press Association.) • Auokland, May 29. Reform in tho organisation of chaplains' work in territorial camps was strongly urged by Dr. Averill, Anglican Bishop of Auckland, at the annual meeting of tho Auckland Church of England Men's Society. The Bishop said that ho was glad of an opportunity to say something that was on his mind. "I had bettor say at once," ho continued, "that I am a chaplain. I was connccted for many years with the volunteers, and I have reached the rank of major. I regret that I was not at Hautapu, but I was away in tho north. If I had been thero, I should not havo left tho camp because of the weather, which oould not have been worse than what. I had at Oririgi camp last year. The present arrangement," proceeded the Bishop, "is bad, and, as I believe, 'against the order of the_ Church. Tho Bishop should be tho senior Anglican chaplain. (Applause.) The Waiapii diocese lias asked the Government to follow this arrangement, and I' believe that the Wellington diocese has done likewise. The present system is doing muoh harm. At the present time I am junior to some of my clorgy, and. if they were to order mo about, it would make things difficult. (Laughter.) It has been represented to the Defence authorities that the whole principle of the present arrangement is wrong, hut they have always replied that they are acting on English .lines. Tho conditions here are of course different from those in England, and the Tesult is that the existing system is auite on wrong lines. The Roman Catholics. I am assured, will support us," continued.the Bishop, "and, if we can arrango it, the bishops will in future have charge of camp arrangements, and will appoint their own chaplains. ' If .you can do anything to help me I shall .be very glad, but in any case wo must stick to the camp institutions next year,'and go 'on with them for all we are worth." (Applause.) " Tlio following resolution,was carried: —"That this conference) 'representing 34 branches of' tho Church of England Men's Society,' having taken into consideration the • matter of- Church _ of England - services in . camp, considers that,. in ' order, to avoid_. confusion and distress in future, the Bishop-should be the senior' Anglican chaplain in-the diocese." It. was decided: to .forward the resolution to the Minister of-Defence.