MARRIAGE RESPONSIBILITIES

Evening Star, Issue 22475, 21 October 1936, Page 2

MARRIAGE RESPONSIBILITIES

LACK OF REALISATIOH SYNOD SUGGESTS COMMISSION [Pee United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, October 20. A commission to consider the administration of marriage by the Anglican Church in New Zealand is a suggestion to be brought to the notice of the next General Synod by representatives of the Auckland Diocese ns the result of a decision of the Synod tonight. During a long debate considerable dissatisfaction with the conduct of many people attending weddings or being married was expressed by one of tho speakers. The Rev. G. V. Gerard, vicar of St. Matthew’s Church, moved—“ That this Synod direct its representatives to the Genera] Sypod to take steps for the appointment of a commission to consider the administration in ; this province of the rite of holy matrimony, and that this commission be instructed to collect evideneg, to furnish a report, and to formulate recommendations; and that the findings of the commission be presented first to the several diocesan synods of the province, and secondly to the next meeting of the General Synod.” -. No one, Mr Gerard said, could fail to deplore the great number of marriages which were unsuccessful, and no little of the responsibility for these failures belonged to the church. Many marriages were entered into without sufficient evidence that the parties were fully prepared for marriage or whether they fully understood the responsibilities into which they were entering. It might be possible to devise some means of presenting the full meaning of marriage to young people. “ There is too often a total lack of reverence on the part of congregations,” said the Rev. M. G. Sullivan, vicar of Grey Lynn. “ The situation is appalling to those who have to witness it.”

Archbishop Averill said that a commission of the nature suggested had been set up by the General Synod some years ago, hut it had never met. The administration of the rite of matrimony was certainly one for which there should be provincial regulations and a commission should be set up. Whether all marriages should be civil first of all could be considered by such a commission. Again, more unity in the matter was needed.

The archbishop found, however, that the last two proposals in the motion were irregular, and he moved an amendment—“ That this Synod directs its representatives to take steps for the appointment of a commission to consider the administration in this province of the rite of holy matrimony.” 'The motion was carried unanimously in this form.