DIOCESE OF WAIKATO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20451, 4 July 1928, Page 5

DIOCESE OF WAIKATO.

EFFORT TO RESTORE FINANCES. GENEROUS OFFER BY BISHOP. (Per United Press Association.) HAMILTON, July 3. A striking offer was made by Bishop Cherrington at the opening of the Waikato Synod to-day. “ If the diocesan finances are not placed on a hopeful and satisfactory basis by the end of this financial year,” he said, “I will do one of two things—(a) Take charge of one of the smaller parishes of the diocese, handing over to the Standing Committee the episcopal income and See House for the benefit of the diocese (I can live on £3OO a year as well as any of my brethren of the clergy) ; or (b) if the Standing Committee considers that the bishop should reside in the house allotted him, I will hand over half my income for the same purposes.” The offer followed an appeal for generous giving, and for a minimum stipend of £350 for the clergy. The bishop said the financial hopes of last synod had not materialised, and action must be taken on the lines of sacrifice. He should do something to lead the way. “ I have no private means,” he continued. “ Perhaps a man should have been chosen who had, and who would, like other famous predecessors in the episcopal office, have spent fully of his means. It was thus that, after the miserable destruction of the English cathedrals under Cromwell’s Protesant-Puritans, the bishops of the Restoration spent their all in rebuilding the cathedrals.” Referring to the ritual, the bishop denied making any change except in regard to the frequency of communion services, which were now the principal services every Sunday at the cathedral. “ We wish all success to the Bible-in-schools movement, and hope that the Bill will pass this year,” said Bishop Cherrington. “ I suppose there is no one here who does not think it ridiculous that every primary school should not open the day with prayer and scriptural reading. We, as churchmen, do not consider this religious education nearly enough.”