ARREST IN VESTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21131, 14 March 1932, Page 8

ARREST IN VESTRY.

POLICE AT CATHEDRAL. COLLECTION BOX RIFLED. SUSPECT HELD BY CLERGYMAN. Unusual circumstances surrounded the arrest yesterday of a young man in the vestry at St. Mary's Cathedral, Parnell. The man was apprehended by the verger, Mr. W. Hickmatt, just inside the church porch near tho southern door, and was detained in the vestry bv Canon W. Fan court until the arrival of the police, who took him in charge.

The arrest resulted from suspicion*; entertained by Mr. Hickmatt that the poor and mission collection boxes, which arc affixed to the walls of the various porches, were beiiiji tampered with. AI, the conclusion of Holy Communion, which followed the morning service yesterday, Mr. Hickmatt left the cathedral, but re-turned-at about one o'clock, and entered the building. He stated last, evening th.jf lie had been inside the Cathedral only about five minutes when he saw a man enter the southern,door, and tamper with one of the two collection boxes. He immediately challenged the man, who offered no resistance, and called for Canon Fancourt, who was near by. While Mr. Hickmatt telephoned for the police, Canon Fancourt detained the man in the vestry. A constable arrived shortly afterwards arid arrested the suspect. The mission box was found to be open, part of the latch to which tho padlock was affixed having been unscrewed. The box, which was known to have contained money, was empty when examined after the man had been detained. The man will appear at the Police Court this morning on a charge of theft. The collection boxes at the Cathedral were rifled some years ago, and the thief was eventually convicted. RIGHT OF SANCTUARY. AN ERRONEOUS BELIEF. The arrest in the vestry of St. Mary's Cathedral yesterday illustrates the error of the belief, not uncommonly held, that an arrest may not take place in a church owing to the operation of tho right of sanctuary. This ancient privilege was abolished in England in 1623, as far as crime was concerned, but in the case of civil processes lingered on in certain districts until 1723. In Europe generally it survived until the end of the 18th century. The right of sanctuary was based on the belief in the contagion of holines.% and that to move a, man who had gained holy precincts was an act of sacrilege. In tho year 419 the operation of the privilege was extended to 50 paces from the church door, and in 431 to include the church courtyard and whatever stood within it. Sanctuary was allowed to those guilty of crimes of violence for a limited time only, in order that compensation should be made or to check blood vengeance.

A criminal fugitive who sought sanctuary in a church had to confess his crime to the clergy, surrender his arms, swea.r to observe the rules of the religions houses and pay an admission fee. At Durham he had to toll a special bell as a signal and put, on a gown of black cloth. A claimant of sanctuary harl to appear, within 40 days, clothed in sackcloth, before a coroner and swear to quit the kingdom and not return without the King's leave.

At the present day members of Parliament in Britain cannot be served with writs or arrested within the precincts of the Houses of Parliament. During the Irish agitation of the " eighties" Parnell and other Irish members avoided arrest for a period by living in the House ard not, passing outside the gates of Palace Yard.