SCENE IN A CHURCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20318, 28 January 1928, Page 11

SCENE IN A CHURCH

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PROTEST AGAINST RITUAL. INTERRUPTERS IN COURT. (Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, January 27. (Received Jan. 27, at 9 p.m.) Five of those who took part in the demonstration at Saint Cuthbirt’s were summoned at Darwen for brawling at divine service and bound over in their own recognisances to keep the peace for a year. The defendants pleaded that their act was a protest against the Romish practices. The vicar, the Rev. E. Lauria, claimed that he absolutely kept his induction oath, and did not admit the reservation. The Chairman said that the magistrates could not refrain from calling the . attention of the church authorities to these unfortunate disputes, which were hindering law and order, and were not serving the interests of religion,—A. and N.Z. Cable. The resentment of the congregation against Anglo-Catholic ritual culminated in the calling in of the police at St. Cuthbert’s, Darwen (Lancashire), and in the abrupt abandonment of the morn- ; ing service. The majority of t’ e worshippers objected to the vicar (the Rev. E. Lauria) using the sung Eucharist. , When Mr Lauria proceeded to the altar to lead the singing of the Eucharist over 100 of the congregation rose and sang hymns, and some women quitted the church sobbing. Meanwhile the organist played music conflicting with the hymns. When the congregation reached the third hymn the vicar left the church and brought the police. He then ad- - dressed those who were protesting, saying: “Do you know that you are very blasphemous?” Some replied: “We want our own service, and we are going to have it.” Confusion reigned, and the protestors resumed the singing, whilst the curate and the choir returnc' to the vestry. The vicar requested the congregation to leave, and the service ended.