NEW PRAYER BOOK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 26 October 1928, Page 5

NEW PRAYER BOOK

LONDON SYNOD MEETS QUESTIONS TOR CLERGY RESULT OF BALLOT United Prosß Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Australian Press Association LONDON, 24th October. At the London Diocesan Synod the Bishop submitted six questions on which the clergy balloted : (1) Were they willing that tho Bishop should be guided by the rejected 1928 Book until full order was reestablished? Answer: "No." (2) Were they willing to prohibit deviation from the Book of 1662, except when the parishioners and incumbent agree? Answer: "No." (3) Were they willing to allow the use "consecrate-" in the alternative order of the Holy Communion provisionally and subject to the Bishop's special conditions? Answer: "No." (4) Were they willing to allow the Reservation for known sickness during any one day? Answer: "Yes." (5) Wero they willing to allow the Bishop to regulate permanent Reservation in present emergency in accordance with the Rubrics of the 1928 Book? Answer: "No." (6) Wero they willing to support the Bishop in endeavouring to stop practices inconsistent with the 1662 and 1928 Books? Answer: "Yes."

The voting on tho fifth question was, "Aye" 292, "No" 655; on tho sixth question, "Aye" 536 and "No" 494. On the other questions the voting was fairly close.

REFUSAL TO FOLLOW BISHOP

LONDON, 25th October. It is regarded as most significant that an overwhelming majority of London clergy refused to follow their Bishop's lead in the matter of the Prayer Book. The result was a surprise, even for the most resolute opponents. The "Daily Telegraph's" ecclesiastical correspondent says that the result was due to a combination of Protestants and Anglo-Catholics, for diametrically opposite reasons, on the subject of the reservation.

The "Morning Post" says that the refusal of the London clergy to support the Bishop's policy is regarded as a deathblow to it, since London is the most important diocese of the Church of England. It proves that this diocese is unwilling to challenge the State.

LIVERPOOL AND LICHFIELD

Australian Press Association.—United Service. (Received 26th October, 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, 25th October. The Bishop of Liverpool, addressing the synod, said he was not altogether in agreement with the Bishops' proposals, which he hoped would be modified. He especially regretted the proposed sanction for the use of an alternative communion office. Nobody desired the new office more than himself, but he still hoped the Bishops would quietly lay it aside for the present, however much some of tliem desired it. It would be a fruitful sacrifice. The synod voted against the first four questions, and accepted the fifth, also the Bishops' two further questions, firstly to support him in any act of censure pronounced by him relating to the use of reservation elements; and secondly, agreeing that no sanction be given the use of the 1928 book.

The Lichfield Synod accepted all the questions. (Received 26th October, 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, 25th October. The Southwark Synod accepted the 1928 Prayer Book, including the consecration canon and reservation for the •sick, but agreed not to permit deviations from the 1662 book without the assent of the parochial councils.