RIVAL CLERGY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22400, 22 April 1936, Page 10

RIVAL CLERGY

(TWO IN SAME CHURCH SIX SUNDAY SERVICES VICAR WHO CAME FROM GAOL Two clergymen—one of them the vicar of the parish, just released from prison—held a series of services one after the other in St. Luke's Church, Leicester, England. Hundreds of people gathered outside the church to watch the unusual happenings, and there were cheers for the vicar. Six services were held, three by each clergyman. The actual vicar, Dr. Samuel Shannon, had been in prison for nine months for alleged contempt of Court for refusing to comply with the Bankruptcy Acts. While Dr. Shannon was in prison the Rev. H. J. Drummond, vicar of Christ Church, Leicaster, was placed by the Bishop of Leicester, Dr. C. C. B. Bardslej', in temporary charge of St. Luke's, and hud been holding weekly services. On his release Dr. Shannon announced his intention of resuming his ordinary sex-vices, although on Saturday he was informed by the diocesan secretary that Mr. Drummond was still in charge. On the Sunday Mr. Drummond celebrated Holy Communion at eight o'clock and held a special service at 10. When this special service was over, the choir, the verger, and the organist left. Dr. Shannon arrived at 11 a.m., but was unable to have any music for the service because the organ chamber had been locked and the key could not be found. The two churchwardens, who had not entered the church while Dr. Shannon was in prison, attempted to force the doOr of the organ chamber without success. In the afternoon both clergymen had selected 2.30 for a children's service. They met' at the dcor of the church. Mr. Drummond stepped forward and offered his hand to Dr. Shannon, who appeared ,to ignore the gesture and walked past Mr. Drummond into the church. Mr. Drummond followed him up the aisle. NeaT the altar steps he turned and said that to avoid a scene in church he would withdraw..He did so, and as he was leaving the church offered to shake hands with the churchwardens, who also appeared to decline. Dr. Shannon then conducted the service. , At night, Mr. Drummond held a service at sis and, using a shortened form of evensong, finished at 6.25. Dr. Shannon wan waiting in the porch, and Mr. Drummond passed him there, neither of the clergymen appearing to recognise the other. At the morning service Mr. Drummond had about a dozen in the congregation and four choir boys. Dr. Shannon had about a hundred. At the evening service the congregation at Mr. Drummond's service was about 80 or 90, and a little larger when Dr. Shannon took over.