AMERICAN HERESY CHARGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18585, 18 December 1923, Page 9

AMERICAN HERESY CHARGE

BELIEF IN VIRGIN" BIRTH. ISSUE SPLITS EPISCOPALIANS. LITERALISTS V. MODERNISTS By Tele graph—Press Association — (Received 7.19 p.m.) A. and N.Z. NEW YORK. Dec. 16. One of the bitterest controversies in the history of the Episcopalian Church of America has been provoked 'by the decision of the House of Bishops to try the Rev. Lee Heaton, a young clergyman of Fortworth, Texas, on a charge of heresy because he declared that he did not con- 1 sider literal belief in the story of the Virgin Birth as essential to the Christian religion. t Dr. Leighton Parks, who for 20 years has been rector of St. Bartholmew's Epis-

copal Church, probably the most Conservative and richest in New York, to-day astounded his congregation by attacking the bishops for this step. He declared that they were attempting to unfrock all clergymen of liberal views.

The Modern Churchmen's Union has also entered the controversy. It is taking up Mr. Heaton's defence, and is appropriating a considerable sum for the purpose. Other Episcopal clergymen who disagree with the House of Bishops are opposing the fundamentalists .in every way. Many are lecturing at colleges against literal belief in the Bible, and are portraying Christ as a Modernist. ,