THE PRAYER BOOK

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 52, 13 February 1928, Page 6

THE PRAYER BOOK

REVISION STAGE HOUSE OF CLERGY DEBATE. RIGHT. OF APPEAL. London, Feb. 10. At the meeting of the House of Laity the scenes at the Darwen Church recently prompted a successiui amendment, moved and seconded from Lancashire, requiring clergymen to consult parochial councils oetore introducing changes in the services to which parishioners were accustomed. The mover said the Darwen controversy was symptomatic. The church was paralysed in Lancashire, as parishioners refused to contribute towards the upkeep of the Church without safeguards against unpopular innovations. Sir T. W. H. Inskip secured an additional clause, making it perfectly clear that the old Book is available as betore for those desiring it. The House of Clergy also debated an amendment designed to give believers in the Real Presence an opportunity to worship according to their beliefs and rejected it by 146 to 56. Apart from a minor amendment relating to the position in the aumbry in which the reserved Sacrament is kept, the only amendment in the House of Clergy gave the clergy the right to appeal to the Archbishop in Synod from the decision of a bishop in matters concerning perpetual reservation. This was carried by an overwhelming majority, and the House adjourned until Wednesday. ihe House of Laity reassembled and at the evening session adopted a resolution, similar to the Clergy s, providing tor appeal to the Archbishop and the collective bishops of each province regarding licenses for reservation of the Sacrament. Sir Charles Marston attempted to obtain a revision of the Athanasian creed. Lord Hugh Cecil pointed out that the motion was outside the Assemb ly’s scope. The motion was rejected. The House of Laity complete the revision stage. In announcing the postponement of the Convocation of Canterbury, arranged to begin on Wednesday, the Primate explains that the bishops oi both Provinces are anxious to proceed with the revision stage of the Prayer’ Book next week, after receiving reports from the Houses of Clergy and Laity.—(A. and N.Z.)