NEW PRAYER BOOK
ADVERSE LEGAL OPINION
USE CONSIDERED ILLEGAL
DEEMED ULTEA TIKES
(Received 20th January, 9 a.m.) LONDON, 23th January. 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 Bishops' 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 c(f a bishop using new forms at confirmation and other services is the same as any other minister using an illegal form of Divine service.
The Eight Hon. Sir Leslie Frederick Scott, K.C., was Solicitor-General in 1922 and a member of the House of Commons, representing Liverpool Exchange, from 1910 to 1929. For many years he has exercised an active interest in British and Continental affairs. He is an authority on laws dealing .with land and property, 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. During the World War he was chairman of the Acquisition of Land Committee. His publications include "The Effect of AVar on Contract's" and "The New Law of Property Acts."
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 21, 26 January 1931, Page 9
Word Count
331NEW PRAYER BOOK Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 21, 26 January 1931, Page 9
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