Four-Yearly Synods Rejected

Northern Advocate, 22 February 1940, Page 9

Four-Yearly Synods Rejected

1 Per Press Association, Copyright.] NELSON, This Day. A bill aiming at an amendment of the constitution to provide for meetings of the General Synod every four years to replace the present provisions for triennial sessions, was defeated on a division at the General Synod. The debate showed that there was a marked difference of opinion on the matter, Archbishop Averill suggesting that annual synods should give greater opportunity for the voice of the church to be heard in the economic, social and moral questions affecting the community generally. Others, including the Bishop of Dunedin, who moved the bill, contended that the General Synod should be a legislative body meeting every four years, with church congresses in the intervening periods. Voice of the Church. The arch bishop said it was the usual custom for other controlling bodies to meet annually. He could not help feeling that they were losing a lot in the Church of England by not having a representative body which met annually, and was in the position to announce the opinion of the church as a whole. He fell it very necessary in these difficult days that there should be a definite voice in the church. That was why he had ventured in the charge to the synod to mention the annual sessions, though perhaps not with the present constitution. “I want progress,” said the archbishop. “and, in spite of all that has been said, we want our church to speak on the social, economic and moral questions of the country. As soon as we mention those subjects people say we are dabbling in politics. Well, let us dabble in politics if it is necessary to bring Christ into the general lives of the people.” The result of the division was: Bishops: Ayes, 3; noes, 4. Clergy: Ayes, 9; noes, 15. Laity: Ayes. 10; noes, 15.