WORK HINDERED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22320, 3 May 1947, Page 6

WORK HINDERED

MAORI BISHOP’S TROUBLE READY “TO STAND ASIDE” Details of the difficulties and the bitter feeling' which had arisen from them, due to his inability to enter the dioceses of Auckland and Waikato to perform his episcopal duties among his own people, were given by the Bishop of Aotearoa. the Pit. Rev. F. A. Bennett, when ihe Maori Synod in Feilding this week discussed the status of the Maori bishopric and its future. “My days are numbered, and I am prepatc-d to stand aside for a man raised by God to carrv on this work,’ said His Lordship. "On the whole as bishop, I have had a happy time, but my heart does bleed for the man who is to succeed me. If he lias to face some of the difficulties I have had to face, then it will be a sad day for him and lor the church.” Tlte situation was far more serious than many people realised, he said Such bitter feelings were expressed, because of his inability to enter the dioceses of Auckland and Waikato to perform his episcopal duties a•'•'•••. b own people, that at a meeting in North Auckland he had walked cut. No other bishopric in the world was constituted in the same way as Aotcaroa, and therefore there was no model that could be quoted lor guidance. L was his desire that something should be created that woud suit both the church and the Maori people. Cause of Dissatisfaction

In most ciioccset lie iiaa Linen welcome, and synod hau no desire to embarrass the new bishop Bishop R. I-I. Owen. Bishop Bennett moved that the cause of sueli dissatislacuon .shouid os brought to the notice of the church leaders, as the Maori bishop "was at present unable to respond to requests tor his episcopal visitations because the Pakeha bishop of the diocese was not prepared to invite him." To ailav that irritation, which had developed to a serious extent, the motion called upon ihe standing committee ot the Wellington diocese to prepare a case for submission lo next general synod, "so that the Maori bishop'had the right of entry into any wheie his episcopal services were asked for by the Maori people. "I am quite prepared to stand by the judgment ot that committee,” said Bishop Bennett "Full sympathy with the Maori viewpoint was expressed by the Yon Archdeacon E J. Rich. -On his suggestion, Bishop Bennett withdrew his motion, and the synod then unanimously agreed that the Primate should be requested to call a conference of Maori members lrom all dioceses. The Maori requests were simple and justified, declared Mr. A. T. Carroll, Wairoa. First the fullest co-operation of all the bishops was required; and. secondly, they desired to perform freedom for their bishop to move around among his people Other speakers expressed similar views, and agreed that where the Bishop ol Aotearoa had moved Ihe work of the church had increased and Ihe people benefited.