THE NEW BISHOP

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 8, 9 July 1935, Page 14

THE NEW BISHOP

MODE OF ELECTION'

CONSTITUTIONAL PROCEDURE

The resignation of Bishop Sprott will shortly necessitate the appointment of a new Bishop to the Wellington Anglican Diocese. The method of appointment adopted by the General Synod last year is somewhat involved. At a meeting of the Waikato Diocese held a few days ago, Canon Kyall said that the new method of election aimed at creating a form of autocracy, and Bishop Chcrrington said he considered the measure was invalid.

Under the law which has hitherto governed the method for the appoint- ' ment of a Bishop, the Archbishop calls ■ a special session of the Synod of the i diocese affected. This is presided over .by a commissary appointed by the Archbishop, at which, session names ' are mentioned, the qualifications of those nominated are considered, and the position is offered to the clergyman selected. Upon his acceptance, the appointment is approved by the Bench of Bishops. Until this stage is reached, no public announcement is made of any of the names considered. THE PROPOSED CHANGES. The proposed new church law provides for the setting up of an Electoral College for the election hi a bishop. The college will consist of not less than six or more than ten clerical and not less than six or more than ten lay members. The clerical and lay members are to be eleated at each annual session of the clerical and lay members of the diocesan Synod, the clerical members of the Synod electing the clerical members, and the lay members electing the lay members, each acting as a separate electoral body. Every act of the college requires the assent of a majority of both orders present. When the bishop of a diocese resigns his see, or when his see becomes vacant, the electoral college shall meet for the purpose of election. An advisory council must be appointed by the General Synod. The diocesan electoral college, in exercising its power of nomination, shall select one, two, or three names. When more than one name is selected the names shall be placed by the electoral college in order of preference. The names of the persons to fill the place of the bishop shall be proposed by one of the clergy and seconded by one of the lay members. The college shall vote by orders, and no person shall be validly included in the number of names uniess he shall have received a majority of the votes of each order. The diocesan electoral college shall then meet the council, and place before it the name or names of the person or persons selected by the college, and the order of preference. After consultation, the council shall have power to (1) approve, subject to confirmation by the Bench of Bishops, subject to the selection made by the college of one or more persons; (2) to approve of the order of preference; (3) to recommend an alteration of the order of preference of the selection: (4) to refuse to approve of any one or more of the names selected by the diocesan electoral college. If the council shall have refused its approval to one or more of the names selected by the diocesan electoral college, the college shall have power to select a fresh name or names and place them before the council. On failure of the college to decide, the Synod has power to give instructions to ttu college. As soon as the selection for nomination shall have been completed by the college, such information shall be forwarded to the Primate. When the nomination o. the bishop shall have been made and duly confirmed and accepted, and the necessary # declarations shall have been made, the Primate shall take the necessary steps for the selection of the bishop-elect. A TEMPORARY CLAUSE. What is termed a temporary clause contains the following provision: "This canon shall not come into operation until clause 23 of the constitution shall have been amended so as not to be inconsistent therewith, but so long as clause 23 of the constitution shall remain in its present form it shall be competent for the clergy and laity of a diocesan synod to resolve by a majority of such order to proceed, if they shall think fit so to do, to nominate a bishop under the provisions of this canon, if in that event the nomination shall be sanctioned by the General Synod, or if the General Synod be not in session by a majority of the Standing Committees of the several dioceses, as well as in the manner prescribed by this canon."