ANGLICAN GENERAL SYNOD

Otago Witness, Issue 3244, 17 May 1916, Page 26

ANGLICAN GENERAL SYNOD

CHRISTCHUBCH, May 10. The Anglican General iSynod passed a motion asking the trustees ol St. John's College to consider the possibility of _ permitting- any candidate for a scholarship in the college who has been refused by the military authorities to hold a scholarship in somo other theological college in New Zealand until St. John's College is reopened. May 11. At the sessions of the General Synod of the Anglican Church Archdeacon Mac Murray reported, on behalf of the Petitions Committee on the petition of the parishioners of St. Paul's Dunedin, protesting against the, action in effecting an exchange of land, which, it was alleged, was disadvantageous to the parishioners. The committee gave it as its opinion that the exchange at the time was the best that could be done. On the petition of the same parties for relief, owing to the absorption of the parish of St. Paul's into the Cathedral parish, the committee gave an extensive finding, considering that a case was made out, and the General Synod should grant relief. The Bishop of Auckland presented the report of the commission appointed to examine the boundaries of the proposed new diocese of Taranaki, which recommended that they be extended in order to relieve the Auckland diocese of most of the King Country Act, 1910. The report is to be discussed later. The Primate brought up the matter of the question asked by Canon Mayne: "Are bishops of a province amenable to the canons of the General Synod or the Diocesan Synod ? In other words, can a bishop override the laws of a church province of New Zealand?" The Primate said ho had previously refused to take- the question, on the ground that it was impertinent. Upon further consideration, he thought that Canon Mayne proceeded, not through impertinence, but through ignorance, and ho decided to allow the question and put the answer. He would simply say that the bishop of each diocese was entirely under the law and canons as much as any other member of the Church. Canon Mayne said the question was not actuated with the intention of impertinence, a"nd most cordially thanked the Primate for his courteous reply. j.no report oi taie committee set up to inquire into tne question ot spiritual ministrations and services to lerritorial camps and iijxpeditioiiary Forces was presented oy Archdeacon KuctdocK. It was to tne loilowmg effect: —itie question and difficulties arising out of dual control are luiiy appreciated. ±ne committee was strongly impressed with trie necessity for tne appointment affecting tne spiritual interests anu social well being oi tire men. It noted with satisfaction the readiness of the clergy to act as chaplains. The difficulty lay in tne selection ol such as were most fitted for active service. Ihc Synod recognises the work done by the Military Affairs Committee in Wellington, and urges tiie Church to j.>rovide £IIXIO to enable the committee to carry on the existing work. The Synod hereby constitutes a Military Affairs Committee for the whole province, 'lhe functions of the committee, in addition to those already exercised, will be to consider the needs that may arise, the erection and maintenance of church institutions, notify the Standing Committees in each diocese of the sums required, notify the Standing Committees, bishops, and the Bishop of Wellington on all matters in connection with such camps, and institutes as concern the spiritual interest and social wellbeing of the men, and that the Bishop of Wellington, with the clerical and lay representatives of the diocese of Wellington, be authorised to act as a deputation from the Synod and interview the Minister of Defence. A bill promoted by the Bishop of Christchurch, constituting tho Standing Committee of the General Synod, passed its second reading. May 13. The General Synod, at to-day's meeting, decided to request the Government that the King's regulations relating to religious observances in the forces be strictly observed. In moving tho motion, Archdeacon Ruddock said the present military authorities apparently only recognised two denominations— Roman Catholic and Protestants. General Godley had stated that, the King's regulations- did not apply, although in all other matters those regulations were enforced. With tho Expeditionary Forces the value of the regulations rested, in fact, that no man was forced to attond the services of other denominations, but his own senior chaplain fixed the services. In Egypt, however, all and sundry were required to attend church parades ordered by tho officer in command These were held by brigades of 4COO men at a common service in tho open air. Was it any wonder there was often a tendency to irreverence ? Ho read a letter from a chaplain in Egypt. The chaplain had protested to a certain officer at a conference against the common service*' as being against the wish of the bishop. A reply was sent to the effect that tho officer hoped tho bishops would be put together on an island and left therfi. Members: Name tho officer? Archdeacon Ruddock said it was General Godley. Another officer in tho mounted regiment had refused permission for tho Anglican bishops to hold communion service on the grounds that communion services were held every Sunday by the Presbyterians, which the men could attend on tho transports. There was often only one chaplain for all denominations but Roman Catholics, while in one instance a Salvation Army officer had been in charge of 1000 men. although the latter were properly cbaplained. The time had come for them to demand their undoubted rights as a Church. —(Applause.) Ho -desired to say that' he did not desire to convoy the impression that he was attacking the Hon. Mr Alien in any way, but he thought it was purely the result of the attitude taken up by the military authorities. On Archdeacon Ruddock's motion, it was decided —"That tho bishops in tho province be asked to take steps so that they may secure observance by their own clergy of the King's regulations in regard to parade services at Territorial camps, where they may act as chaplains; that this Synod _ requests tho Minister of Defence that definite instructions be issued to all officers in command to adhere to the King's regulations as regards religious services in the different homo camps and with the Expeditionary Forces." May 15. Tho Anglican General Synod dealt with a number of matters of church government, mainly financial. The Pensions Fund Bill for a new clioceso in Taranaki was passed.

Bishop Averill said, in five years' time, owing to the growth of Taranaki,* a new dioceso would be necessary. The Synod to-night ordered tho following message to soldiers to be despatched to the chaplains with the forces: —" W%, tho bishops, clergy, and laity of tho Church of tho province of New Zealand, assembled in General Synod in Christchurch, ask you to greet the soldiers of New Zealand in our names. Tell them we are proud of what they have already done, and that wo trust entirely in them to uphold the honour of God, King, and country. . Tell them they are never out of our thoughts, and that they are remembered before God daily in the churches of our own land, together with their comrades who have fallen. Our hearts are with them in the dangerous hardships they have to face, with the sick and wounded in their sufferings, with the devoted doctors, nurses, and ambulance staff, and all others who minister to their needs. We pray (hat the Almighty will bless them and hasten the day of glad reunion when victory is won. To you our own brothers who minister to tho soldiers in spiritual things wo wish God-speed in your work, and assure you of the deep sympathy and strong support of all your fellow churchmen We pray continually that the strong hand of God may be upon your ministrations.'' A Bill granting the franchise to women to vote at parish meetings came before tho Synod to-night, but was rejected. As tho outcome era slip by tho Primate, when the division was taken Archdeacon Cowie was improperlv excluded, the doors bemg closed too early. The voting was as follows: Bishops, 5 for and 2 against; clergy, 8 for and 8 against; laity, 9 for and 6 "against. A majority of each order was necessary. Later the Primate admitted his mistake, and said that if Archdeacon Cowie pressed his vote he would have to allow it. Archdeacon Cowie did not press, the matter, and the former voting stood.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PHIMA'JLE. At the sitting of the Anglican General Synod on Saturday, Mr AY. B. Scandrott moved, without notice, a motion that this Synod congratulate the Most Rev. the Primate on having that day entered the eightieth year of his life. He heartily congratulated his Lordship on this event. Dean Fitehett, as coming from the president's diocese, said he had the greatest pleasure in offering his felicitations to his Bishop on tho attainment of so great an age, and hoped that he would be spared for many years to occupy his exalted position. Tho Bishop of Dunedin, in thanking the Synod for their felicitations, said he would ask them to bear with him while ho gave them a brief account of the early days of the Church in New Zealand. Ho had been in the diocese of tho Bishop of New Zealand, the late Gcoige Augustus Selwyn, and thus he was a link wibh the very earliest days of the Church. Bishop Abrahams, tho then ex-B.'shop of Wellington, was then in Lichfield, and Bishop Selwyn asked him (the speaker) to apply to the diocese of Wellington for tho position. He replied that on no account would he apply for any bishopric, but tho Bishop of Lichfield answered, "That is up to-day. Everybody applies for a bishopric now." He was also told that Bishop Hadifield, who had been in bad health, and had recovered, was a most likely successor to Bishop Abrahams. Bishop Selwyn offered him (Bishop Novill) twelve months' leave of absence, and he came out to New Zealand. He found, as he expected, Bishop Hadfield Bishop of Wellington, and then ho went as chaplain to Bishop Cowio at Dunedin, where the see was vacant. He found there ho was mentioned as a oandidate for tho bishopric, and though he would not oppose Bishop Jenner in that respect, yet tho difficulty with Dr Jenner being surmounted ho was elected to the see, which he had now held since 1871. This history might be interesting now, as it brought back old memories. Ho again thanked the Synod for its greeting, and said ho much appreciated it, as in the course of nature it was hardly likely he would again preside over its deliberations. REPORTS. Tho Bishop of Christchurch brought up the report of the Committee on. Missions, strongly recommending the appointment of a Missions Board. ST. PAUL'S PARISHIONERS' CASE. Mr H. D. Andrews continued ■ the debate on Canon Mac-Murray's motion embodying the resolution suggested by the committee set up to inquire into the petition preedited by tho parishioners of St. Paul's parish. He would have liked the committee to have brought down a more comprehensive report. Archdeacon Gosset moved as an amendment—(l) "That the General Synod declares the recent appointment to the office of 'vicar of St. Paul's parochial district, Dunedin, is not in accordance with the canons of tho General Synod." (2) "That tho General Synod directs the Board of Nominators for the diocese of Dunedin to make a valid appointment to the office." (3) " That the General Synod does not, by the foregoing resolution, imply that the authorities ol the diocese of Dunedin did intentionally contravene tho canon of the General Synod." (4) "Tho General Synod requests the Primate to convey the above resolution to the Diocese Board of Nominators and the Chapter." (5) "The General Synod requests the Diocesan Synod of Dunedin to provide by legislation or otherwise that the registered church members resident in St. Paul's parochial district may elect annually representatives, who shall have such control, or partial control, of the finance of the parochial district as shall seem fitting to the Diocesan Synod.'' (6) " The General Synod requests the Primate to bring the foregoing resolution before the Diocesan Synod of Dunedin at its next session." Dean .Fitehett said that he would gladly welcome tho amendment. The parishioners in Otago had their full share of arranging their own affairs. Archdeacon Richards (Otago) took up the case of tho petitioners. They were obscure, it had been stated. They were only obscure because they were not_ known to the dean. They occupied prominent positions as sidesmen, Sunday school superintendents, and communicants. But even were they obscure and unknown it mattered not. In Scotland, 27 members of tho United Free Church of Scotland laid claim to the whole effects—amounting to millions —of tho Church, and the House of Lords, the highest judicial body in the Empire, had not asked the men what they wore, but only considered the justice of the claim. That the matter had not been brought before the Synod before was only that it should not worry the bishop.—(Applause.) The real trxniblo was not tho appointment of a

vicar, or the exchange of land, but that the parishioners only required to use the ordinary revenue and use it for parochial purposes, as they had a right to. It was useless to say that there was no dissension—congregations had dwindled, mission subscriptions had fallen away to next to nothing. There was something wrong - , and he stated that in the Ofcago diocese the parishioners had not full control over their own affairs. He earnestly appealed to the Primate to grant full privileges to the parishioners, showing them that he supported them in the Synod, and he would nave no more loyal or more faithful supporters than those same parishioners. Dean Fitchett, in a personal explanation, stated that his remarks on the parishioners had been quoted from an official report. The Bishop of Auckland suggested that Archdeacon Gosset's amendment In carried, and the original motion lapse. The amendment was agreed to unanimously. Archdeacon M'Murray protested against not being allowed to reply.