“INTENSE FEELING”

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 69, 14 December 1928, Page 6

“INTENSE FEELING”

BISHOP OF WAIKATO AND HIS FLOCK SOME PLAIN SPEAKING RECENT DECLARATION ON SUNDAY OBSERVANCE Dominion Special Service. Auckland, December 13. The Right Rev. A. C. Cherrington, Anglican Bishop of Waikato, was strongly criticised at a meeting of Claudeiaiids and Hamilton parishioners, when a proposal to establish a new parish or to appoint a curate was discussed. It was declared that because of thc.r resentment of the bishop’s recent declaration regarding the observance of Sunday many parishioners refuse to contribute to the church funds. Mention of a recent canvass made in the parish by chapter members was made by Mr. H. M. Hammond. At first, he said, he did not intend to support the scheme on principle, but later he assisted, and bis experience was that only five out of 30 people in one block made contributions, fourteen people definitely refusing to contribute as protest against the bishop. There was very intense feeling of opposition to the bishop, and this was the crux of the whole situation. This was not his own opinion, but the net result of the canvass made. “We know perfectly well why two clergymen on the cathedral staff recently left.” added the speaker. “We know the position is precarious, and it is impossible to do anything until we have faced a certain question, and that p question is the bishop.” (Loud applause.) “I believe you are right,” said Mr. Hall. “I think everyone will agree that if we had a different head of the church here the position would be very different. (Applause.) At present all we can do is to watch people leaving the church steadily. I suppose there is no chance of getting rid of the bishop.” A voice: No chance! Another voice: Well, you never can tell!

A lady present wanted to know if the church people could not make a protest against the bishop's attitude. Could they not appeal to the Primate “I feel very much distressed at having to oppose any progress in church work,” said Mr. Hammond. “It is simply a question of sending the right men to Synod. Unless this is done the bishop will survive on a spirit of apathy, and more and more people will leave the church.” Mr. Brook said that so long as the bishop was in charge of affairs the financial position would remain as it was. Even if they followed Mrs. Valder’s advice and ignored the bishop, it left him secure. When the country had lost confidence in its leader it had turned him out. That was the position, yet they seemed to have no power to turn the bishop out.” (Applause.) “Everyone knows the bishop is an Anglo-Catholic, and we are Protestant,” added Mr. Brook. “Not 5 per cent, of the Anglicans in Hamilton will support the bishop. Will anyone tell me bow we are to get rid of him?” Several murmurs of dissent arose, and a number of men present said there seemed to be no means of ejecting the bishop.