CAMBRIDGE PARISH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22259, 11 May 1934, Page 10

CAMBRIDGE PARISH

VICAR'S FIRM STAND WILLING TO MAKE A SACRIFICE. (Put United Psess Association.) CAMBRIDGE, May 10. The Rev. G. G. Bell, in an interview this morning, made no secret of the fact that he had received a letter from Bishop Cherrington yesterday askiug him to hand over the keys of the church, etc., and vicarage*. Still Considering himself vicar of Cambridge, and with his appeal going before the Standing Commission, he stated that he would decline to accede to the request. When' Mr Bell was asked if it were true that he had been offered a living in Dunedin some time ago, he replied that it was correct. He said he had been offered a living, and had refused it after consideration.

"I will not avail myself of the offer for the same reason that I have not accepted the. offer of Bishop Lichfield, England, to find work for,me as soon as I please. The facts will show that I am not staying in Cambridge for any other reason than one-of principle, for which I am prepared to make a sacrifice."

Bishop Cherrington interviewed at Cambridge yesterday regarding Mr Bell's charges 1 of schism, etc., said he regarded the actions taken by himself and the church officers as absolutely in order. The bishop had no comment to make on Mr Bell's actual declaration, which was nailed to the church door, and which he had not read.

Mr Bell was offered'the parish of North-East Valley.