CHURCH OF RATANA

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12196, 22 July 1925, Page 6

CHURCH OF RATANA

SCHISMATIC ORGANISATION ANGLICAN AUTHORITIES ANXIOUS INSTRUCTIONS TO CLERGY Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, July 21. A good deal of anxiety is being caused to the Anglican Church authorities by the development of the Ratana movements, as a schismatic organisation, ‘‘The Church of Ratana,” . is being formed. At a conference of representatives of three North Island dioceses of the Church of England, held at Rotorua recently, it was stated the Ratana people had called upon ministers of all denominations to baptise “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost and the true Angels.” . They further demanded that whenever the Trinity was mentioned in tho service there should be added “the true angels,” although they asserted they did not worship the angels. Should clergymen refuse to comply with these demands Ratana had instructed his that they were to leave that minister and start a branch of the “Church of Ratana.” As a result of the .conference the three North Island bishops have issued a pastoral letter to the Maori clergy and laity. The letter states: “The facts seem to be that it has been decided, apparently with Ratana’a approval, that his followers should withdraw from their respective churches while emissaries were going about endeavouring to induce the Maoris to sign an undertaking to do this and to declare their adherence to what was being styled the ‘Church of Ratana.’ A fundamental formula of this so-cal-led church was one in which ‘true angels’ were associated with the persons of the Holy Trinity. It was ' now being insisted that this formula should be used in the administration of the rite of baptism, contrary to command of our Lord Himself and the invariable practice of every branch of the Holy Catholic Church. In many places the acoeptanoe of the ministration of the clergy was being made conditional upon their use of this objectionable formula in baptism and other services. Hie three North Island bishops, ArchJbishop Averall v Bishop Sprott of Wellington, and Bishop Sedgwick of Waiapu have therefore issued instructions to the clergy and people of the Maori race.” VERY SERIOUS . STEP The Instructions state that any person who signs the covenant now put forth by Ratana’s emissaries is taking the very serious step oi excommunicating himself from the Church of Christ. It is not lawful for clergy to give to such-a person the ministrations of the Church, Holy Communion, marriage, or burial. The performance of baptism by a minister or agent set up by Ratana, cannot be if it is performed otherwise than as ordained by .Our .Lord when He said: “Go ye therefore and teach >all'nations, baptising them In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy .Ghost.” The instructions gOj on to state that while it is to be desired that persons who have accepted'in, this misguided way should 'be won back to the fellowship of the' Church, the clergy must not take upon thenjselves reception of these who wish- to return, but refer to their bishop for definite instructions. In the case of any person who has .previously not reoeived . Christian baptism the instruction of the bishop must he sought before baptism is_ administered. Any lay reader who joins Ratana’s organisation thereby forfeits his license, and must return his badge of office; Such lay reader is not permitted to officiate 'in any way. Finally, the letter states, that all faithful members of the Church should ■at once sign the declaration provided by General'Synod'for Church members. Moreover, definite instructions should be given by the clergy upon the doctrine and sacraments of the Church, for the purpose of strengthening the faithful andj rendering them immune from the danger of being led astray by false and plausible teaching which contradicts the teaching of the New Testament.

In issuing these instructions, the bishops state they are confident that the clergy and people will carry them out loyally, and so remain true to the faith onoe delivered to tho saints and which had done so much for the uplift of the Maori race. V ==s==========