BISHOP NOT DEFIED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 158, 5 June 1937, Page 9

BISHOP NOT DEFIED

REV. MR JAItDINE’S STATEMENT

i Received June 5, 12.5 p.m. LONDON, June 4. Confident that no (phurcli action will be taken against linn, the Rev. Anderson Jardine returned to London hom Monts. “1 did not set out to defy the bishop and 1 did not receive any ecclesiastical notice not to perform the marriage,” he said. Asked whether the Duke of Windsor would stand by him in any consequences. Mr Jardine replied: “Whatever happens will be referred to the Duke’s solicitors,” he said. “1 went to Tours simply to give the Duke and Duchess the desire ot their hearts, which was a religious service. That 1 have done but it did not involve a second marriage certificate. The civil ceremony had been registered in the ordinary way and no other was required.” When informed of Mr Jardine’s return the Bishop of Fulham said in a statement: “As far as the Bishoji of Fulham is concerned ho further action will be taken.”

MR JARDINE’S ACTION. PARISHIONERS NOT ANNOYED. v LONDON, June 4. The Rev. Anderson Jardine, who performed the religious ceremony at the wedding of the Duke of Windsor, is expected back at Darlington, Yorkshire, to-morrow. According to the Daily Mail, the general opinion of the local church officials and parishioners is that it was Mr Jardine's personal affair and did not affect his work in the parish. Thus there was no reason to protest. Referring to Mr Jardine’s “irresponsible action,” the Church Times, recognised as the organ of Anglo Catholic opinion, in a. leading article says: “There is no process of law whereby a clergyman wandering abroad may be prevented from saying prayers at a private house, and that is all this pretended solemnisation amounted to.”