NEW PRAYER BOOK

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 September 1928, Page 7

NEW PRAYER BOOK

ARCHBISHOP’S STATEMENT.

(Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) (By Cable—Press Assn.—Copyright.)

(Recd. Sept. 29, 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 28.

At the conclusion of the three days’ conference of all the Bishops at Lambeth Palace, the Archbishops of York and Canterbury issued a statement regarding the new Prayer Book, “setting forth the principles which, the Bishops generally are prepared to follow in the administrative action necessitated by the acknowledged inadequacy of the existing law, and varieties of usage which already prevail. - ’ They wish it clearly understood that their conclusions are at present only informal and provisional, and intended for their own guidance in consulting the clergy and laity. Formal action, whether Diocesan or general, must be postponed until the Bishops obtain the results of these consultations, and until the question of full official sane? tion has been considered. The statements begin : — “During the present emergency, and’ until further order, the Bishops cannot regal'd as inconsistent with loyalty to the Church’s principles, the use of such additions and deviations, as are contained in the 1928 book, as fall within the limit of their proposals, but must regard as inconsistent with such loyalty, any other deviations and additions to the 1662 book. Accordingly, the Bishops are exercising legal administrative discretion, and will endeavour to secure that practices inconsistent with both the 1662 and 1928 books .shall cease. Further, the Bishops regard it as a governing principle that no departure from the 1662 book shall bo permitted at public services, unless the Parochial Council agrees with the incumbent. The Bishops recommend, firstly, permission to use “the Consecration causon. contained .in the 1928 book should only be granted provisionally, and in exceptional circumstances subject to such conditions as the Bishops determine. They regard variations and additions to the Holy Communion of the 1662 book, except what the Bishops sanction, in accordance with the alternative order in the 1928 book as irregularities which must cease. Secondly, the Rubrics for Reservation will 'further be considered by a committee of Bishops. Meanwhile, the Bishops recommend that while the existing permissions affecting Reservation forthe sick, as contemplated in (he alternative prder, should continue, further permissions should be provisional only. The statement concludes that In view of the whole situation, the Bishops frankly recognise they are not without a share in the blame for the difficulties in recent years. Thy appeal to churchmen, clerical and lay, for loyal co-operation in this fresh endeavour to restore peace, so the whole body may devote itself more wholehearted] v to its tasks.