NEW PRAYER BOOK

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 104, 27 January 1931, Page 9

NEW PRAYER BOOK

Added Rites Illegal, Say Authorities

WHERE CLERGY ERRED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, January 25. That the action of the Archbishops and Bishops in sanctioning and directing the use of the Prayer Book containing alternatives and additional forms, rites, ceremonies, and rubrics differing from the Book of Common Prayer, is unconstitutional and illegal, is the opinion of Sir Leslie Scott, K.C., supported by Mr. Wilfred Lewis, barrister.

Counsel are of the opinion that the action of the Upper Houses of the Convocations of York and Canterbury in passing the resolutions of July, 1923, utilising the new book as a work of reference and fixing the limit for permissible variations from the old book is unconstitutional and ultra vires.

They contend that the Archbishops’ and Blsnops’ action in’passing the resolution was a breach of the statutory duties imposed by law upon the clergy. The Archbishop of Canterbury’s directions to the diocese applying the resolutions Is also a breach of the Acts of Uniformity, as is also the conduct of the clergy in utilising the liberty accorded them to the use of the new book.

The position of a bishop using new forms at confirmation and other services is the same as any other minister using an illegal form of Divine service.

In some of the churches in England, it is understood, the revised Prayer Book is being used, and the effect of the legal opinion mentioned is that any such use cannot be countenanced. An aggrieved parishioner might, if he so desired, have the whole question as to whether those using the revised Prayer Book were not breaking the law, decided in the courts. Sir Leslie Frederick Scott, K.C., for many years has exercised an active interest in British and Continental affairs. HS is an authority on laws dealing with land and property. In addition to other conspicuous positions he was chairman of.the Scapa Society, whose reports led to the Land Acquisition (Compensation) Act, 1919, the Mining Acts of 1923, and the new Law of Property Acts.