CHURCH CONSTITUTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19924, 18 April 1928, Page 8

CHURCH CONSTITUTION.

'AJiGLICANS TN AUSTRALIA.

'ANXIOUS PERIOD IN SYDNEY.

ADOPTION OF THE DRAFT.

DIFFERENCES OF. OPINION.

[FROM CPU OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

SYDNEY, April 13,

It was only alter a very anxious period had been passed that, the special session, of the Sydney Diocesan Synod adopted the draft constitution of the Church of England in Australia. During the five i)nys on which the synod met thero was b sharp conflict of opinion accompanied by some heat, and at one stago of the proceedings the draft was in peril. It yas then that the Primate of Australia, [Archbishop Wright, asserted his strength and influence. A special fub-committea }ad reached a deadlock and one of its members, Mr. H. Mint on Taylor, had intimated his refusal to be longer associated with the committee. The primate Realised that the time had come for him Jo act authoritatively. It was his express desire, he said, that Mr. Minton Taylor should not tako the action he bad threatened. This intimation was treated as an instruction, as was no doubt intended.

Another powerful figure at this stage Vf the proceedings wa3 Bishop Long, Bishop-elect of Newcastle. Nobody seems k> know quite what happened, but the tension was relieved in a remarkable /Manner and a spirit of unanimity was luddenly manifested. The select comjfliitteo which had considered the amendments proposed by the synod announced Ms agreement and when it was realised frcyond doubt that the constitution would >e adopted with reservations there were #cenes of unprecedented enthusiasm. Members of tho synod, clergy and laity *oae from their seats and cheered. Tho Visitors in the gallery also expressed their improved of the far-reaching changes .which now seem to be assured. Tho Dozpiogy was sung with great fervour. Further Noce&sary JJteps.

With the conclusion of the deliberations of the Sydney diocese interest now centres in the attitude of other dioceses, but it is certain that' they will be largely influenced by Sydney, which is regarded as the pivot of the Anglican Church in Australia. Several months ago the Gonial Synod agreed to the draft constitution, and decided to refer it to the synods ef the 25 dioceses in Australia. The Bynods were invited to accept the draft, but did not have the power to amend it. Prior to the special session of the Sydney Diocesan Synod, i;l dioceses had given their assent to it, practically unanimously. In Tasmania, an enabling Act had actually been passed by the State Parliament, a»d similar action on the part of the remaining States is necessary before the new constitution can operate.

The Sydney Synod has passed an ordinance assenting to the constitution, providing that such assent shall not take effect until in the Enabling Act of the Parliament, of New South Wales, and in at least four other Statos, certain declarations sad safeguards are inserted. Speaking, generally, the majority of these provisions make plain certain doubU that hnd arisen as to the meaning of certain (clauses, and to that the provisions cf the constitution were unalterable except with the consent' of all the dioceses. For '"stance, it made the basis of representation unalterable. Again, it made the constitution of the dioceses unalterable without the consent of the dioceses. Uniformity of Ceremonies.

The Diocese of Sydney was not. satislied wilh the manner in which tha Supreme Tribunal was constituted by tha tow constitution, and ifc therefore stipulated that it should have tho right by ordinance to say whether or not appeals should be permitted from the diocese tribunal to the Supreme Tribunal. The next Btep to be taken is for the select committee, appointed by the synod to act vrith the Standing Committer with a view giving effect to the ordinance, and to B>-t with the consultative committee of the General Syuod to formulate and promote the necessary Acts of Parliament in the various States.

Under the existing ccnsititu'-ion the General Synod has practically no control over the dioceses in particular, but this will be changed with the general adop- ( tirni of the new conditions. Tho new constitution was required, also, to secure that, as far as possible, there should be uniformity of doctrine and ceremonies in .Australia; that the dioceses should not drift into separate and peculiar churches; that the General Synod should reserve the power within deflned limits to determine the doctrines and formularies of the Church iu Australia, which by consensual compacts the various dioceses declined to take. Lastly, it is to create local courts to decide matters of doctrine and govern worship and discipline.. "Has the adoption of the constitution Ineant severance with tho mother Church ef England ?" Answering this query, asked on all hands, Dr. Micklem stated that the new Church would be

Daughter in her mother'fi house, But mistress in her own.