CHURCH CRISIS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 72, 28 March 1929, Page 9

CHURCH CRISIS

AUSTRALIAN ANGLICANS

GREAT BATTLE PENDING

(From "The Pqst's" Representative,) SYDNEY, 14th March.

It seems that a crisis in # the affairs of the Church of England in Australia, which has been brewing for many months now, cannot; be avoided much longer. The position is full of interesting possibilities, and a decision one way or the'other may havo very serious consequences affecting the future of the church in the Commonwealth.

The reason why Archbishop Wright, who is now in New Zealand spending a holiday, some time ago cancelled a epecial and vitally important meeting of the Sydney Diocesan Synod, has now been revealed in part. It is said that a trump card was played against the Archbishop by a certain, section of his church, which left him no other course but to cancel the Synod in order to consider another line of action. Clergy who are anxious that Sydney should form part of the proposed Australian Church, under the proposed new constitution, hold the Archbishop 1 blameless, but condemn the tactics which, they believe, will ostracise the Sydney diocese. There are accusations of wire-pulling and plotting on the part of certain clergy and laity who have a big following in the Synod.

The evangelical section of the Sydney Synod has consistently fouglit against Sydney's acceptance of the proposed Australian Church. After the new constitution had beenagreed to by every diocese, Sydney refused to havo anything to do with it unless certain vital amendments were made. The late Archbishop Harrington Lees, of Melbourne, and others, were prepared to go forward without Sydney, but Dr. Long, Bishop of Newcastle, adopted a conciliatory attitude, which was successful for the time being at least. Eventually a meeting of all the Australian Bishops waa held at Sydney to consider the amendments as demanded by Sydney. After several days' deliberations, the Bishops accepted the Sydney conditions, with certain limitations. It then looked fair sailing. But, it is alleged, heads were put- together; and after Archbishop Wright had called a meeting of the Synod to consider the report of the Bishops, he became aware of certain facts, in the faco of which ho considered a cancellation of the Synod the only course to adopt. Otherwise the rejection of the Bishops' report seemed to be assured. What happened at the Bishops' conference, and the nature of the pressure used, is to be revealed at the next ordinary meeting of the Synod.

The Bishops all over Australia are said to fee amazed at the turn of events, and they are tired of Sydney's cantankerous attitude. It is quite on the cards,' therefore, that Sydney will be omitted from the new Australian Church. Dr. Long has been mentioned as likely to receive the 'appointment of Archbishop of Melbourne, arid if he does his conciliatory attitude—his patience find his diplomacy—may have an important bearing on the situation when his influence is increased by his elevation. Ho ia said to bo the ono man most likely to seeuro a united Church of England in Australia.