CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20380, 11 April 1928, Page 10

CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

A NEW CONSTITUTION. POSITION IN AUSTRALIA. (From Oua Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, March 30. It was only after a very anxious period had been passed that the special session of th e Sydney Diocesan Synod adopted the draft constitution of the Church of England in Australia. During the five days on which the synod met there was a sharp conflict of opinion accompanied by some heat, and at one stage of the proceedings the draft was in peril. It was then that the Primate of Australia (Dr Wright) asserted his strength and influence. A special sub-committee had reached a deadlock, and one of its members, Mr H. Minton Taylor, had intimated his refusal to be longer associated with the committee. The Primate realised that the time had come for him to act authoritatively. It was his express desire, he said, that Mr Minton Taylor should not take the action he had threatened. This intimation was treated as an instruction, as was not doubt intended. Another powerful figure at this stage of the proceedings was Bishop Long, bishopelect of Newcastle. Nobody seems to know quite what happened, but the tension was relieved in a remarkable manner, and a spirit of unanimity was surdenly manifested. The Select Committee which had considered the amendments proposed by the synod announced its agreement, and when it was realised beyond doubt that th e constitution would be adopted with reservations there were scenes of unprecedented enthusiasm. Members of the synod, clergy and laity, rose from their seats and cheered. The visitors in the gallery also expressed their approval of the tar-reaching changes which now seem to be assured. The doxology was sung with great fervour. 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 th e Anglican Church in Australia. Several months ago the General Synod agreed to the draft constitution, and decided to refer it to the synods of the 25 dioceses in Australia. The synods were invited to accept the draft bat did not have the power to amend it. Prior to the special session of the Sydney Diocesan Synod 21 dioceses had given their assent to it. practically unanimously. In one State, Tasmania, an enabling Act had actually been passed by the State Parliament, and similar action on the part of the remaining States is necessary before the new constitution, can operate. The Sydney Synod has now passed an ordinance assenting to th e constitution, providing that such assent shall not take effect unless and until in the Enabling Act of the Parliament of New South Wales, and in at least tour other States, certain declarations and safeguards are inserted. Speaking generally, the majority of these provisions make plain certain doubts that had arisen as to the meaning of certain clauses, and to ensure that the provisions of the constitution were unalterable except with the consent of all the dioceses. For instance, it made the basis of representation unalterable. Again, it made the constitution of the dioceses unalterable without the consent of the dioceses. Tlie Diocese of Sydney was not satisfied with the ' manner in which th e supreme tribunal was constituted by the new constitution; and it therefore stipulated that it should have the right by ordinance to say whether or not appeals should be permitted from the diocese tribunal to the supreme .'tribunal. The next step to be taken is for th e select committee appointed by the synod to act with the standing committee with a view to giving effect to the ordinance, and to act with the consultative committee of the General Synod to formulate and promote the necessary Acts of Parliament in the various States. Under the existing constitution the General Synod has practically no control over the dioceses’ in particular, but this will be changed with the general adoption of the new conditions. The 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 defined limits to determine th e doctrines and formularies of the church in 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 meant severance with the mother Church of England ? Answering this query, asked on all hands, Dr Micklem stated that the new church would be “ Daughter in her mother’s house, But mistress in her own.”